George Town to Rudder Cut Cay

Current Location:  N 23 52.360, W 76 14.548

Dodging a shower en route to Rudder Cut Cay

We returned to George Town last Wednesday, March 18, about the same time the Covid-19 pandemic concerns started surfacing in the Bahamas.  Prime Minister Hubert Minnis put out a statement which sent a panic throughout the cruising community.  The statement was similar to the US guidelines which essentially shut down communities, workers and social gathering, for the reason of containing and stopping the spread of the virus.  Of concern to cruisers was that non-essential travel would not be allowed.  The panic grew when cruisers started contacting local government agencies and Nassau authorities for interpretations of the statement then transmitting their gained information across the cruisers VHF network, channel 68.  Discussion was also had through the cruisers Facebook page. Of concern was that cruisers would not be able to leave.  Other interpretations revealed that if cruisers left their current locations they would not be allowed to stop until they exited Bahamian waters.  At this time we believe we are free to travel, stop as needed but not participate in gatherings, as social distancing is required here as well.

Rudder Cut Cay, Topping out at 7.2 knots

Marinas are closed, and water supplies are minimal.  We currently have about 110 gallons of water and are sharing a solar shower bag of about 2 gallons nightly.  The two of us drink about 1 gallon per day, combined.  We are washing dishes with salt water.  We have about 40 gallons of diesel which we are trying to preserve by strictly sailing.  (Today we sailed about 35 miles to Rudder Cut Cay and motored about 5 miles into and out of the anchorages.) We can carry fuel in jerry cans from gas stations if needed because gas stations are essential and remain open; but few islands have gas stations.  The nearest location for us to refill our water is Black Point Settlement, about 20 miles to our north.  We have a large supply of food, mostly canned goods and I’m eyeing a nice reef with fish.  We’re contemplating our return home but we’re not sure of our fate in the US either.  Marinas are also closed along the way and the Covid-19 is much worse at home with reports of Florida and Louisiana being hit hard. A trek down the ICW would put us in both of those states for a number of days.  Further, we can almost isolate ourselves anchored at uninhabited islands.  We are doing very well but we miss our family and friends.

Crossing a cat beating to wind

Today we sailed to Rudder Cut Cay, as mentioned above, about 40 miles north of George Town.  We waited until 1000 to leave George Town in an effort to time our entry into Rudder Cut with an incoming tide.  Rudder Cut can be one of the most dangerous cuts onto the Bahamas Banks with an east wind and outgoing tide.  The seas throughout most of the day were 6-8 feet with winds about 15-18 knots.  Fortunately, we were on a broad reach and a starboard tack, 120 degrees off the bow.  Though it was pretty rough it was not as bad as it sounds.  Pura Vida handled it well though we had quite a sway, on her vertical axis, as she rolled over and down each swell.  We arrived at Rudder Cut near 1545, timing the tide perfectly.  Ruth has become quite the “salty” grandma and has become immune to sea sickness.  Neither of us even considers it a possibility, anymore.  So yes, a person does get used to the seas. 

We were treated on the passage by seeing perhaps 100's of flying fish in the Exuma Sound.  I tried very hard to take pictures of them but they are more elusive than turtles.  At one time I held my camera in hand for an hour.  When I gave up and put it away they started schooling… or perhaps flocking?  I did make one lame, late effort to capture them on my phone but to no avail. 

Rudder Cut Cay is one of the most beautiful islands we’ve seen.  The water is crystal clear and the anchorage is much protected though there is a current.  David Copperfield owns Rudder Cut Cay and 11 surrounding islands and apparently has a nice resort on nearby Musha Cay.  We made a special effort to come to Rudder Cut Cay with my sister, Carol, in mind.  More about that, next time. 

A little down wind sway: