Saturday Jan 21st               Bahamas Flotilla 2012

Why is the last day always the sunniest, warmest with the best sailing? I was up early saying good-by to departing crew. Captain Angie's yacht sailed into the harbour in time to make flights.

We all made vows of reproducing this experience next winter!

After all our sailors left, I couldn't resist. We (my two sons and I) hopped aboard a friend's boat for one more sail, one more dive on the reefs, one more night at anchor, one more fresh fish dinner.

Captain Suki (who was formerly a professional chef) cooked up our freshly speared hogfish, we had so much we could barely finish.

The only thing better than chartering is having friends with yachts in the Islands! Thanks you Suki and Angie (and Cricket) for being such wonderful hosts and extending my vacation, see you this summer!

(Email me if you would like to spend a week with Angie and Suki on their Pearson 36 in Feb or March, I can put you in touch with them)

Friday Night Jan 20th                Bahamas Flotilla 2012

Capt. Angie's boat anchored just North of The Sugar Loaves for a beautiful secluded night on the hook. Others had early morning flights so the rest of us opted to return to the charter base and spend the night there.

Capt. Jeff made his famous conch fritters and we all gathered for h'orderves aboard his yacht as we talked about our adventures over the past week. Can't believe that it is almost over, it went by way too fast! 

Friday January 20th                  Bahamas Flotilla 2012

We departed Treasure Cay early for a beautiful day of sailing. Anchoring just off the reefs north of Elbow Cay, some dinghied to a secluded beach while 4 of us went for one more dive.

We speared some hogfish and snapper while a fairly large barracuda eyed our catch. Talk about exciting: Try swimming with a bloody fish to the dinghy with a mondo barracuda watching. It's kind of like carrying a dripping steak past a hungry pitbull.

Sometimes it's better to drop your catch and get the heck outta there. Not this time though, Hogfish is the best tasting fish that I have ever had and I'm not feeding such a tasty treat to a barracuda.

We make it back unscathed, although as we are getting in the dinghy, we spot the biggest Moray Eel that I have ever seen! It was as thick as a football and about 10' long. Definitely time to get out of the water. That little shiver runs through my body. I call it "the shark shiver" but a Moray Eel of that size will send it through my spine too. 

Thurs. January 19                     Bahamas Flotilla 2012

Just after watching the sunrise with  my second cup of coffee in hand, a fast moving squall hit us. Wind went from under 10 to 30 knots in a few seconds! Our calm morning quickly turned into a scurry of activity since the anchorage was now unprotected from wind and waves.

Behind the squall the wind settled to low 20's still providing motivation to get moving since we had an ocean passage to make to the southern Abacos.

The most exciting sailing so far and with the wind just aft of beam and a bit of chop on some good size ocean swells, it was just too fun to reef. Can't believe we are sailing downwind again (going the opposite direction). 

We headed in to Treasure Cay and actually tied up at a marina for the night. The crew enjoyed hot showers ashore after a dip in the pool. We all piled into the cockpit of Captain Jim's boat since he made a huge dinner for everyone. The live band at the bar serenaded us to sleep as we finished out another perfect day in paradise.

Wed. January 18                              Bahamas Flotilla 2012

Diving Expedition!
Our anchorage had perfect dinghy access to the ocean side. Three dinghy loads of excited snorkelers headed out to the reefs looking like a Navy Seal landing team.

Diving was so spectacular with fish and Caribbean lobster everywhere! With only a few more hours of sunlight, we quickly speared our lobster limit. It helps to be under the tutelage of a master diver, Phinehas (who has lived in the Bahamas for quite a while), showing us his technique.

Our bounty made it to the grill by sunset for a perfect evening on the hook. Wind was calm and stars filled the sky making it a perfect night for a Cuban cigar in the cockpit.

Wed. January 18                       Bahamas Flotilla 2012

We woke up to a dolphin swimming around the anchorage! He seemed to visit each boat as if to say, "hello". So close we could almost touch him.

Anchor chains rattled up through the gypsy as we cast off to new islands. Lighter air today from the Southwest, but we still had a downwind sail all the way to New Plymouth. The wind seems to follow us!

After anchoring just outside town, we dinghies ashore to New Plymouth to pick up a few provisions and eat lunch at a new local hotspot named, "Two Shorties". The fish burgers are fantastic! Best price on conch fritters in the Abacos.

We found a perfect secluded anchorage just to the north of Green Turtle Cay for the evening.

Tues. January 17                   Bahamas Flotilla 2012

The wind swung around and gave us Southeast fresh breeze, for anther fantastic broad reach to Great Guana Cay. We all snugged into Fisher's Bay and anchored for the evening.

Some decided to go ashore for dinner, while about 8 of us chose to dive the anchorage. Nobody usually dives anchorages, so lobsters feel fairly safe with yachts swinging on the hook above them. That is until we arrived! Successful diving led to a fresh seafood dinner. 

Mon. January 16                         Bahamas Flotilla 2012

With most of the shops closed on Sunday, we decided to stay in Hope Town one more day for some sightseeing, shopping and exploring.

Several made it to the top of the lighthouse. The beach that faces the ocean is beautiful!

Sun. January 15                         Bahamas Flotilla 2012

All four boats cast off for Hope Town, one of the most picturesque towns in the Caribbean. A broad reach with a fresh breeze made for perfect sailing conditions.

Once secured to our moorings, some crew went ashore to explore town and some went for a quick snorkel. Swimming was successful, beautiful sea life to view and we found several lobsters that seemed to really want to join us for dinner.

Sat. January 14                          Bahamas Flotilla 2012

We all arrived at the Sunsail charter base in Marsh Harbour late in the day. After the chart briefing at 3pm, the Skippers were busy provisioning the boats and we all were enjoying the warm breeze, swaying palm trees and crystal clear water. No more snow, ice or cold for the next 7 days!

Cabin assignments were given out and we all moved aboard our four yachts. 

Delmarva Circumnavigation, Summer 2011

Captain David and a crew of students from The Sailing Academy set off around Delmarva Sunday July 10th. They are making good progress on the ocean passage and should be entering the Chesapeake and starting on the home stretch late in the week.

Trip has been a good mix of conditions, from strong winds to calm (They had to run the engine for part of the offshore leg).

We will upload trip reports from the crew when they make landfall.

Bahamas Sailing, Winter 2011

A group from The Sailing Academy just returned after chartering from the Moorings base in the Abaco's. While cold and snowy here, it was close to 80 degrees every day with cool evening in the Bahamas!

We had great sailing days and beautiful sunsets. Between visiting island communities such as Hope Town, we had plenty of time to snorkel on the reefs.

Highlights were hiking the wooded trails on Manjack Island, opening fresh coconuts on the beach, eating fresh lobster that we caught on the reefs and fresh fish dinners.

We even managed to squeeze in the course material for ASA104. 

Yes, we are trying to make you jealous! Although, consider joining us next winter. We would love to have you along.