Crab Cay Ruins

Fair winds Alibi

Friday morning began with sounds of s/v Alibi's anchor rode clanking as the chain squeezed through the windlass. She honored us with a drive-by and greetings were exchanged as she sailed away. They headed south through Elizabeth Harbour eventually turning east toward Long Island. Darrell and Ann have been good friends since we met them almost 3 weeks ago. We wish them well and hope to see them again soon.  

Walker ruins

We dropped the dink and met Don and Carol, s/v Isle of Grace, at 1000. They are anchored off Crab Cay, nearly 2.5 miles to our south. We planned on a little exercise by walking the ruins of Crab Cay and also seeing the abandoned, unfinished Crab Cay Resort.

I was surprised to see that the Walker ruins

200 yr. Old spires

are still very much intact. Sir William Walker was a loyalist who built the stone house and botanical garden atop Crab Cay in the late 1700s.

Equally astonishing on the island is the remains of a recent 800 million dollar development which came to a halt during the financial crash of 2008. A group of developers started what was to be a mega yacht marina for 300 boats, several residential lots with beautiful views of Elizabeth Harbour, walking paths throughout the island, pristine beaches, an exquisite party plaza, all accessed by the most beautiful bridge I've ever seen. The harbor was dug for the marina as well as many waterways. The bridge and party plaza were also completed and there are many more signs of started but unfinished developments. So many broken dreams in the Bahamas. This place will put a smile and a spell on you.

I am happy to report that the solar panels have charged the batteries to 100% as of 1300 on Saturday. Also, the new laptop will arrive tomorrow and most awesome is that Bryce and Veronica will be our delivery service. Sorry Doe Boi. PS: It was good to hear from life-long friend Commodore Paul Vera this morning.

Bridge to nowhere

Unfinished business

Future dream

Lesson Learned

I left Port Arthur on November 29th with

The new solar panel

every imaginable spare part, including an alternator, starter, all engine parts and even a spare transmission, and 300 watts of solar power. I seriously considered adding a fourth panel but didn't because the three 100 watt panels powered the 12 volt needs of Pura Vida for the last couple of years never utilizing shore power to charge the batteries. Over that time span the 12 volt refrigerator ran continuously as well as the utilization of other 12 volt equipment and  items such as lights, fans, phones, instruments and tablets. Therefore, I assumed 300 watts of 12 volt electricity was plenty. When we left we added a 12 volt Engle portable refrigerator to the mix, which draws only 2.3 amps which I estimated runs for only about 10 hours per day. My calculations were only slightly off but with shortened winter days and a lesser sun angle the power needs were lacking. So, on February 9, one day after arriving in George Town, I made arrangements through the local courier Doe Boi and ordered another 100 watt solar panel. I expected to wait as long as one week to receive the new panel. Well after a one-day delay from Amazon which caused a one-week delay of delivery from Florida to George Town which turned into two weeks because the small transport plane used by Reggie Express was having engine problems, and a few malfunctions by Doe Boi's courier services I finally received the panels. So my 1 day Amazon free delivery turned into 16 days.  Oh, and the $178 solar panel cost me an extra $125 due to Bahamian duties and transport fees. So, lesson learned, if you think you might need it, bring it with you.

We awoke this morning to sounds

Three years ago

of the pitter patter of rain on deck. This is the first time it has rained where the wind was not also blowing to extreme. I considered deploying my homemade rain catching device; however, it is not fully complete, it is 0611 and a bit of laziness has overtaken me this morning. 

Ruth was up soon after as I had to crank the engine due to low voltage. Solar panels don't seem to work when it is raining. Ruth heard that the mail boat had arrived with fresh vegetables so we dinked into town to secure vegetables and other edibles. Ruth took our cash and entered into the Exuma Market leaving me to fill the jerry cans with water. 

Later we met Don and Carol at Fish Fry, at 1300. I assumed Fish Fry would have fried fish however I was wrong or at least I never found any. Fish Fry is actually an area with several small huts which serves a variety of food types. I had barbecued ribs and Ruth had curry chicken. Each came with three sides and was very good.  Later we went to the Chat 'n Chill and met with several Texans

Bryce's signature

including Darrell and Ann. They are shoving off in the morning for Long Island then destinations south. We also took a picture of a shirt that Bryce signed at Chat 'n Chill three years ago on his honeymoon. We are looking forward to their visit in a few days.

To my one faithful blog follower. Mom, I know my picture taking has become lame. I'll try to do better.

The George Town Cruiser's Culture

Awaiting the big blow

As we wait out another northerly blow, it gives me the opportunity to reflect on the George Town cruisers culture. I call it a northerly blow, as opposed to a cold front, because the temperature drops only to the lower 70s, though it is the remains of a cold front from the north.

So this culture of cruisers is made up of over 300 boats who have invaded the Great Exuma Island, made up of a few settlements with George Town being the largest. The cruising boats anchor mostly between the George Town settlement and Stocking Island. Most of the cruiser's events occur on Stocking Island, many near the Chat 'n Chill hamburger bar. Every day starts with the cruisers net broadcast on VHF channel 72 at 0800, from Charisma, another cruising boat. The net is a well-structured broadcast welcoming new arrivals, wishing departing cruisers well, explaining the upcoming events, asking for boaters in need, giving opportunity for trade, allowing local businesses an opportunity to be publicized, and much more.  So after listening to the net we generally jump in the dinghy and head to town or to events happening on Stocking Island.

Some of the events that we have participated in include seminars for cleaning/overhauling outboard carburetors, conch horn building, proper anchoring techniques and cruisers heading south. Other recent events that we have attended or are aware of include water aerobics, yoga, ultimate trivia, Texas Hold'em, volleyball, beach church and talent shows.

The mighty mite

After debating for almost two weeks, we finally purchased a new Yamaha 15 hp, 2 stroke outboard which weighs 5 pounds less. The 8 hp ran perfectly but we felt we were in need of more power. The 1 1/2 mile crossing of Elizabeth Harbour to George Town helped make up our minds. Though the dinghy would get on plane and move pretty well with just the two of us aboard, it was a different story when returning with 20 gallons of water from the Exuma Market dock. After a few days with the new motor we feel we made a great decision. We quickly and easily sold the Tohatsu to 4 nurses aboard Belafante.

Recently we have ventured south, with our new high-flying dinghy motor, looking for snorkeling, conch hunting and lobster-snagging locations. However after journeying for nearly five miles we learned we were within the Moriah Harbour National boundary, which is a no-take zone. Next time we'll venture north. 

Don and Carol with Ruth

We have also reciprocated to friends by hosting a sundowner event onboard Pura Vida. Included were Don and Carol from Isle of Grace and Darrell and Ann from Alibi. We also enjoyed Chat 'n Chill hamburgers for the first time and were surprised at the reasonable cost. During that lunch, at the bar, we visited with a gentleman wearing a uniform top which resembled the Maytag Man. It turns out he is with the Bahamian Defense Force. Not a bad job, just patrolling around in a power boat.  I was most intrigued at his meal selection which included a frozen pina colada. Life is chill in the Bahamas.

Anchored next to Alibi

The solar panel, ordered 3 weeks ago from Amazon, is still in Florida, awaiting possible arrival next week.  My laptop is officially toast but Bryce will be arriving with a new one on March 1. Bryce and Veronica have become our mules since their visit precedes Blake and Chris'.

We are looking forward to the George Town Cruising regatta which will take place February 26 - March 11.  More about that next time. Hopefully today the wind will allow us to deploy the newly turbo powered dink to attend the weekly pig roast at Chat 'n Chill.