Chinook is Bahamas Bound

[Chinook]

Hi All,

This is the start of Family Island Regatta here in George Town. We'll be watching the races today, but not hanging around for the next couple of race days. It's time for us to move along. We'll be heading across to Long Island next, and then turning north. We hope to get out to Conception Island and then cross to Cat Island and Eleuthra. Updates on the webpage should be up soon.

[March]

Great! I'm looking forward to your updates.
We are getting ready for our version of Bahamas 2011, hopefully we'll be launching at the end of May, on the cusp of the rainy season. I found your pointers very, very helpful--and inspirational, too.
I hope I will be able to access a section of the Blue Water Yachts server, so we could dump our log on their site in the same way you did.
I might have some questions for you, as we move forward. For starters:

1) Do you have to have cash with you in the Bahamas, or are credit cards generally accepted?
Thank you in advance, and fair winds
March

[KayakDan]

Make sure you visit the Chat n'Chill on Stocking Island before you leave.
No visit to Exuma is complete without a cold Kalik,and a volleyball game with the cruisers.


Sure do love Exuma... clock is ticking....Jan 1,2013 ....first winter in George Town,Exuma

[DaveB]

Good to see you all are haveing fun In George Town, I haven't been there since 1985 and spent 2 mo. their.(could have retired there)
Cked your web site and was updated to April 5th.
Usually one gets lost in their world in The Bahamas and forget about computers and keep the outside world at bay.
Have a good time and enjoy the remaining part of your trip.
Dave

Hi All,

This is the start of Family Island Regatta here in George Town. We'll be watching the races today, but not hanging around for the next couple of race days. It's time for us to move along. We'll be heading across to Long Island next, and then turning north. We hope to get out to Conception Island and then cross to Cat Island and Eleuthra. Updates on the webpage should be up soon.

[Chinook]

Hi all,

We pulled out of Georgetown a couple days ago, headed for Long Island. Got stopped by squally weather and had to take shelter for a day, but then made a nice banks crossing to Salt Pond on Long Island. We're at the north end of Long Island at a resort marina called Stella Maris. Marina is only $1/foot which is nice. We're waiting out 2 days of windy forecast weather before, hopefully, crossing out to Conception Island on Wednesday. Then it will be on to Cat Island and Eleuthra. Yes, the Chat and Chill is a cool place to hang out, and the volleyball is serious. Also, basket weaving and dominoes in the shade. We enjoyed George Town and the races, but were eager to get off by ourselves again. Regarding cash, they do take credit cards in some of the larger towns and at the resorts, but much of the local businesses are cash only. ATM machines are readily available in most towns, where you can find banks. Be advised, banks are closed on Sundays and in the outer islands, often on other days as well. I'm getting my cash as I go, and so far it's worked ok. I did have a problem with my credit card while in George Town, where it got refused. I called the company and learned that the card had been compromised and had to be canceled. They are sending new ones, but being out here, I won't catch up to them at the forwarding address I had to use for at least a month. Glad I had my debit card in addition. I'd recommend having both, and carrying a good bundle of cash to get you between ATM's.

I've sent journal updates and pics to my son for the Exuma cruise and down to George Town. I expect he'll find the time to update the website sometime soon, but can't predict just when. Stay tuned, and we'll update when able.

Mike and Sandy Cecka aboard Chinook

[thomasgoodmaniii]

i must say as an aspiring explorer this has been a great read and i can't wait till your next update!!

[vulcan98]

Been reading your latest updates. Sounds like you two are having a great time. That apple cinnamon coffee cake sounds yummy. Glad you are eating well and are able to prepare different meals, gives us hope we can do the same on our X. Glad the engine was a simple issue. Thanks for taking the time to log the information and photos to share. Stay young at heart and keep having those childlike adventures.

[Chinook]

Hi all,

We've been out of touch since leaving George Town. No e'mail and no cell phone, which isn't all that bad, quite honestly. I see that son Ken has now posted journal and pics for our cruise through the Exumas. Enjoy. The feel of the cruise has changed since leaving George Town. Big open water crossings, passages along the large out islands of Long, Conception, Cat and Eleuthra. We got held up a few days with stronger than comfortable winds and open Atlantic waters, but were able to move then things settled down. We moved fairly quickly up Long, Conception, Cat and Eleuthra to reach here, which is James Cistern, just above Governor's Harbour. We'll hang out here for 9 or 10 days, working on a mission project with the Bahamas Methodist Habitat. We look forward to connecting with this out island community. We've been given a very strong welcome, and are happy to be here. Enjoy the journals. I'll be able to send more updates to son Ken, and when he gets the chance, he'll post a new batch. The cruise has now covered just under 800 nautical miles.

More later, Mike and Sandy on board Chinook

[kasmith21]

Mike,
your journals are great. Glad to hear you have had good run of weather and our safe and sound. Fair winds and good travels. I check almost daily for updates. Hope to make a similiar trip someday.
Cheers
Kevin

[Chinook]

Hi all,

This will be our last day in Hatchet Bay. We've been moored here for over a week, working on a mission project through Bahamas Methodist Habitat. We've worked alongside a team of college students from North Carolina State University, on an addition to a house here in Hatchet Bay. A single mom lives there with her several kids. This family has recently expanded due to the death of the owner's sister. Now, grandma, mom and a blended family of kids all live in the little house, but it will soon have 3 new bedrooms thanks to the efforts of BMH. They're doing good work down here, and believe me, they're really appreciated by the community residents.

Tomorrow we'll bid farewell to our new found friends here on Eleuthra. We'll go up to Spanish Wells most likely, and then cross over to Abaco on Sunday. From there we'll work around on the south edge of the Bight of Abaco to the east end of Grand Bahama Island. We plan on following the south coast of Grand Bahama to Lucaya, where we may hang out for a day or two. Then, a short day around to West End, where we'll wait for a good crossing day for passage back to Florida. I understand son Ken has posted some new entries in the journal. I'll be sending him updates of our time here on Eleuthra today, so those stories should find their way onto the website in a week or two. Stay tuned.

Mike and Sandy

[Catigale]

Fair winds and tides....and thank you for your service...

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Hi all,

This will be our last day in Hatchet Bay. We've been moored here for over a week, working on a mission project through Bahamas Methodist Habitat. We've worked alongside a team of college students from North Carolina State University, on an addition to a house here in Hatchet Bay. A single mom lives there with her several kids. This family has recently expanded due to the death of the owner's sister. Now, grandma, mom and a blended family of kids all live in the little house, but it will soon have 3 new bedrooms thanks to the efforts of BMH. They're doing good work down here, and believe me, they're really appreciated by the community residents.

Mike and Sandy

Salute to you guys...a very inspiring story ! !

[Chinook]

Hi All,

We're sitting in Pete and Gay's at Sandy Point, Abaco Island, enjoying a lunch of conch burgers, washed down with a frosty Kalik. We're headed for home now, made a 45 mile crossing from Egg Island near Eleuthra to here yesterday. We made the passage, across Northeast Providence Channel in near ideal conditions. Wind was from the east, but a little light. We motorsailed the whole way across, with 4 foot swells at a comfortable 8 second interval. Today we went for a walk here, and sighted a pair of the endangered Abaco Parrots. They're only found in the wild on this part of Abaco Island. Very cool. Tomorrow we'll skirt the edge of the Bight of Abaco, headed for the east end of Grand Bahama Island. After that, we'll make the run to Lucaya, where we may lay over for a day. Next leg is to West End where we'll wait for suitable weather to cross the Gulf Stream to Florida. As always, we'll keep you posted.

Mike and Sandy on Chinook

[DaveB]

Mike and Sandy,
Good to see you have had good Passages, hope the remaining trip is the same.
I would think you would tire of Conch after a couple of Mo. If you don't already have a hand meat grinder I am sure it will be on your list next time along with a pressure cooker (fresh bread).
Food just tastes so much better in the Water Cruiseing, even SH.T on a shingle,have a great recipit for that.
You probably know, but if not get some fresh eggs not refig. coat them with Vegitable oil/vasiline or cook them 10 seconds in boil water to preserve and will last you 3-4 weeks without refig. (was my favorite barter for fish,2 eggs = one 12 lb Grouper).
Dave

Hi All,

We're sitting in Pete and Gay's at Sandy Point, Abaco Island, enjoying a lunch of conch burgers, washed down with a frosty Kalik. We're headed for home now, made a 45 mile crossing from Egg Island near Eleuthra to here yesterday. We made the passage, across Northeast Providence Channel in near ideal conditions. Wind was from the east, but a little light. We motorsailed the whole way across, with 4 foot swells at a comfortable 8 second interval. Today we went for a walk here, and sighted a pair of the endangered Abaco Parrots. They're only found in the wild on this part of Abaco Island. Very cool. Tomorrow we'll skirt the edge of the Bight of Abaco, headed for the east end of Grand Bahama Island. After that, we'll make the run to Lucaya, where we may lay over for a day. Next leg is to West End where we'll wait for suitable weather to cross the Gulf Stream to Florida. As always, we'll keep you posted.

Mike and Sandy on Chinook

[Chinook]

Hi all,

We're biting the miles off in big chunks now. Yesterday, we made 55nm from Sandy Point, Abaco Island over to the east end of Grand Bahama Island, on the south side. Tied up to a mooring ball at a place called Deep Water Cay, which is home to a rather exclusive bonefishing club. That run was most notable for the exciting deep sea fishing I finally found. Unfortunately, most of my strikes were by barracuda. I hooked 6 and brought 4 to the boat. Good news is, I still have all my fingers in place. Those cudas were even hitting out in deep water. I also managed to land a Spanish mackerel and one really fiesty 10 pound jack crevalle. Boy did he fight. We covered another 35nm today, a combination of wing on wing and broad reach sailing, taking advantage of a nice easterly breeze while we coasted along the south shore of Grand Bahama. We're sitting along a seawall on the Grand Lucayan Waterway for the night tonight. In the morning we'll move up to the marina in Lucaya for a last shot at being Bahamian tourists. If all goes well, and the forecast holds, we'll make our return crossing to Florida on Saturday. As always, stay tuned, and I'll update on how things work out.

Mike and Sandy, on board Chinook