Chinook's Great Loop

[Chinook]

Morgans Bluff is a fascinating place, and actually a pretty good place to clear in. Couple of caveats though. Arriving like we did with strong north winds is not the best of conditions. The main bay is totally exposed to north wind. The inner harbour looks really tight from the outside, and it is. However, it's not that tight and it can hold a surprising number of boats. It may look like there's no room, but boats there are accustomed to rafting up, sometimes 3 and 4 deep. There are also opportunities to anchor and stern tie. Interesting mix of folks there, including local Bahamians, an American ex pat who lives on his boat full time, as well as transient boats like ours. Big boats get in and out just fine. We were rafted up to a big 50 foot sloop. Regarding clearing in, you want to time your arrival for Monday through Friday. The helpful dockmaster has an office there and she keeps regular 5 day a week hours. When you arrive you walk over to her office and she gives you the necessary papers to fill out. She then phones up the Immigration official, who drives over to Morgan's Bluff. I think he comes out of Nicholls Town, 2 or 3 miles away. That's the seat of government here. They seem more laid back here than in Bimini, probably because the number of boats clearing in here is much smaller. It would be a long haul, but not a bad strategy to take off from Angelfish Cut for North Cat Cay, anchor out at the Cat Cay anchorage or in Honeymoon anchorage at the north end of Gun Cay, then take off across the Banks for Morgans Bluff and clear in there. You'd need a 3 day window for good measure, but overall, it would be shorter and quicker than going to Bimini to clear in.

[Sumner]

Thanks Mike that is good news.

I think if I went there I'd leave from further down in the Keys. Either Marathon or by the 5 mile bridge north of there and just head across to South Riding Rock on the west side of the banks and from there to the marker where you go out into the Northwest Channel (about 145 miles). That would be an over-nighter and you could anchor or just float around on the Banks but I plan on being with someone so would plan on keeping on the move. It would be a total of about 175 miles from Marathon area to Morgan's Bluff. It would be about 30 hours at 6 kts. Then from Morgans Bluff south and then east to the Exuma's as we had talked about across that lower channel to the Exuma's,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[dlandersson]

Ever see "The Firm"? Let us know if you run into anyone just going "from island to island", not planning to return to the US

Interesting mix of folks there, including local Bahamians, an American ex pat who lives on his boat full time, as well as transient boats like ours.

[Chinook]

We made it down to Fresh Creek on Andros today. This place looks and feels like a pretty remote outpost. We're at the closest thing on Andros to a marina. It was well built when constructed 25 years ago, but imagine a place run by the government, with no apparent maintenance done in years. That's Lighthouse Yacht Club Marina. Fixed docks are high for stepping off the boat at high tide, and nearly impossible at low tide. Current rips through the place. The electrical setup (can't be called a system) is downright scary. Restrooms are an adventure. And with the weather forecast, we'll likely be here for 6 days or longer. On the plus side, we've met some fascinating people, including a couple of Polish Americans who are doing an amazing Great Loop cruise, dedicated to celebrating the contributions of Polish American heroes. They've suffered a temporary setback, with the guy who owned the boat deciding to pull out of the project. They're not deterred. They found and bought an old Morgan here. Engine doesn't work, so they plan on sailing her to Florida without engine, so they can fix her up there. They don't have a website, but say they are on Facebook. Look for Great Loop Polonia 2014. I haven't looked at it yet, but I imagine it's pretty interesting. Tomorrow we visit Androsia, a well known batik factory. We've seen folks around here wearing shirts made there, and we're looking forward to the visit.

[jcasale]

I used to visit Andros Island several times a year to conduct Anti-Submarine Warfare and Search and Rescue exercises at the AUTEC facility. There is a deep trench just off the coast that our submarines used to try to hide in. An amazing time and a free trip to the Bahamas, courtesy of the US Navy.

There were only three rules that I can remember from the island

1. Don't climb the water tower
2. Don't attempt to commandeer any of the locals golf carts, in the name of the US Navy or otherwise, even if the keys are left in it.
3. Don't miss your flight brief

The rum was cheaper than the coke we mixed it with. The snorkeling and fishing was great. Enjoy your trip!

When you make it to the Jacksonville Florida area please feel free to PM me for any and all logistical support you might need. My corner of Florida has a lot to offer sailors.

John
Atlantic Beach, Florida (currently landlocked in Lansdale, PA)
2000

[Chinook]

Thanks John. Autec is still here. Harbor is strictly off limits to civilian boats. Rum is still cheaper than coke. We'll be heading up to Jacksonville sometime in March I'm guessing. It would be good to meet up.

Mike Cecka/Chinook

[Chinook]

We've spent the past 10 days exploring the Berry Islands from Chub Cay in the South to Great Harbour Cay here in the north. Tomorrow we plan to cross the Northwest Channel, over to Sandy Point at the southern tip of Abaco Island. We'll be working our way along the southern shore of Grand Bahama Island from there, heading for Lucaya and West End. We're going the southern route because, with all the north wind we've been getting, it's most likely the most protected route for getting to West End. Also, grandma wants to do some shopping in Lucaya for the grandkids. If weather permits, we expect to cross back to Florida within the next week or so, and then we'll begin our northward cruise up the ICW, trying to keep pace with the arrival of spring.

[dlandersson]

When are you going to visit the Aegean and Indonesia?

We've spent the past 10 days exploring the Berry Islands from Chub Cay in the South to Great Harbour Cay here in the north. Tomorrow we plan to cross the Northwest Channel, over to Sandy Point at the southern tip of Abaco Island. We'll be working our way along the southern shore of Grand Bahama Island from there, heading for Lucaya and West End. We're going the southern route because, with all the north wind we've been getting, it's most likely the most protected route for getting to West End. Also, grandma wants to do some shopping in Lucaya for the grandkids. If weather permits, we expect to cross back to Florida within the next week or so, and then we'll begin our northward cruise up the ICW, trying to keep pace with the arrival of spring.

[Starscream]

Chinook:

Here is some background info on the odd looking outrigger powerboat you came across in Bullocks Harbour.

"John Bartlett, a Floridian sea kayaker and boat builder, designed and built Mirage with sea kayak touring in mind. John built many commercial, multi hull boats in the course of his career; none of them like Mirage. Mirage vaguely resembles the Polynesian outrigger canoes that Polynesian voyagers used for travel between South Pacific islands. The most unusual feature about Mirage is the outrigger, referred to as the ama in Polynesian terminology.

Mirage is uniquely designed to be used as a platform for sea kayakers to launch from and return to while at anchor. She can accommodate up to six guests plus crew comfortably. The hull is flat bottomed, so she draws only two feet. As a shallow draft vessel, we anchor in places that kayakers enjoy exploring. Mirage, a 70 foot power outrigger, is stable, comfortable and safe. The wide beam provides stability from rolling sideways and the 70 foot length allows for very little pitching. Even people susceptible to motion sickness rarely have difficulty living aboard Mirage. Mirage has a fully stocked galley and spacious open air dining area under cover. The fore deck offers space for reading and lounging with a view. Below deck, she has five private cabins, one semi-private cabin for crew, three heads and one indoor shower. There is also plenty of deck space for those who like to sleep under the stars." - from http://www.kayakvoyagers.com

[Chinook]

Thanks for the info on Mirage. The couple in the kayak that we helped out while at Little Harbour Cay were on a trip based on Mirage. We talked with the owner last evening, and discovered that he's from Prosser, WA, our home state. He still gets back to Washington from time to time, and enjoys whitewater kayaking on the Wenatchee River near where we live. We may see him again after we get home from the Loop.

[Chinook]

We're back in the USA. We crossed the Gulf Stream day before yesterday, and had a decent crossing. Hit a few hours of rough seas out in the middle, but things improved as we got closer to Florida. We enjoyed the Bahamas, but I wouldn't recommend being there in February. It was a decent place for us to hang out during this part of winter while on our Great Loop cruise, but in terms of going to the Bahamas, I am definitely of the opinion that late March through mid May is the ideal season. As for us, we'll soon be starting our cruise up the Intracoastal Waterway, on our way to Chesapeake Bay. Perhaps we'll meet up with some folks who hang around on this board during this phase of the trip.

[fouz]

Glad you had a good crossing.

Could you give more detail as to why this is not the ideal time for the bahamas? Crowded?

[ris]

If you need anything or off the boat for a few days just give us a call. We are glad you made it back safe. We are working like crazy to finish the boat so we can launch by 2 Apr.

[Chinook]

Regarding February in the Bahamas, I think the same could be said for December and January as well. In these winter months cold fronts regularly advance down from the US and push out into the Bahamas. These are usually accompanied by strong winds and occasional squalls. Cruising in the Bahamas by necessity involves having to make long, open water passages, sometimes out in deep water (Gulf Stream crossing, Northwest Providence Channel, Tongue of the Ocean) and sometimes across shallow water banks. This February we probably suitable weather for such crossings on average one day per week. This makes moving around, from one cruising area to another a real challenge. It's not hard to get pinned down for a week at a time. Marinas are scarce and scattered, and good ones are quite rare, so such concerns as recharging batteries, filling fresh water tanks, and buying ice can become difficult. Also, in the winter months the water temperatures aren't as attractive for snorkeling. When it's blowing, you can't get anywhere near the reefs for snorkeling, and it's even tough to fish. Things start to improve in March, April is usually excellent, and by mid May it starts getting hotter, with summer thunder squalls appearing with frequency, and there's always a chance for an early hurricane. Thus, I prefer the spring months. Same is probably true for the fall, although the lingering threat of hurricanes in October and November can cause concern.

Reply to RIS - Good to hear that you're making progress on the boat. We're in a great place with friends here in Ft. Pierce, so should be in good shape when we take off headed north by Monday or so. I'm guessing we'll be a little ahead of you when you get started, but there's a good chance we'll meet up on the way. We wish you the best in your preparations and start.

[C Buchs]

Mike:
In your blog you mentioned that you have to do repairs in Ft. Pierce. I'm wondering what you had to fix. Anything that needed improving that we can learn from?

Jeff