We made it to the Sea of Abacos all safe and sound. Our first night had us,as planned, in Great Sale. When we arrived we were the only
boat there, but were quickly joined by 4 other boats. Not too many choices of
anchorages in the area!
Our Second day we actually made it about 20 miles farther than anticipated and we took a mooring ball in Turtle cay.
We spent several hours out of site of land.
Today we made the wonderful crossing of whale island and it was not as bad as it was made out to be.
We had 5 foot rolling waves which were a bit uncomfortable,
but no where near the worst we have been in. The "rage" decided to
leave us alone and for that we thank God. But you can tell by the crashing waves that 5 footers are not that little either
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| Waves crashing on Whale Cay |
The reason everyone fears this
particular crossing is because of the "rage". This is the name they
have given to large waves usually started by a storm in Africa. With no land to
break up these waves; they maintain or pick up momentum across 2000 miles of
ocean, only to come crashing into the "Whale cay".
Every other mile we drove since crossing the Atlantic on the East Coast of Florida, have been within the confines of the Bahamas banks. These land masses, although under the water, still serve to take the bite out of these waves that originate so far away. The passage around the "Whale" however is too shallow for our boat. This necessitates going on the open ocean, with the nearest land mass being 2000 miles away. Unlike the Florida side of the Bahamas where waves have a mere 60 miles to pick up speed and momentum.
We are now anchored in March Harbor, awaiting a slip at Mangoes Marina so we can go wash all the salt off the boat. It is amazing how much salt amasses on the boat. I could fill a salt shaker with the salt from one stainless steel stanchion on our rails.
Every other mile we drove since crossing the Atlantic on the East Coast of Florida, have been within the confines of the Bahamas banks. These land masses, although under the water, still serve to take the bite out of these waves that originate so far away. The passage around the "Whale" however is too shallow for our boat. This necessitates going on the open ocean, with the nearest land mass being 2000 miles away. Unlike the Florida side of the Bahamas where waves have a mere 60 miles to pick up speed and momentum.
We are now anchored in March Harbor, awaiting a slip at Mangoes Marina so we can go wash all the salt off the boat. It is amazing how much salt amasses on the boat. I could fill a salt shaker with the salt from one stainless steel stanchion on our rails.
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| Marsh Harbor Anchorage |
Given that we have spent the last 3 days just traveling, I
do not have too many pictures, but I will most definitely repair this starting
tomorrow. We did however pass by the "Centre of the earth rock". For
those of you interested in finding it on google earth, the coordinates are 26◦56'.455N
077◦41'.532 It's not much to look at and if I am correct, not really in the centre of the earth, but hey who am I to argue! Good night all.
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| Centre of the earth Rock |
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