Living on a boat has taught us the value of paying attention to the weather. Some days we remember that lesson better than others. Or is it that we just need a little reinforcement once in awhile?
We subscribe to a weather service where a meterologist sends us an email once or twice a day with weather forcasts for our area for the next few days. It includes wind speed and direction as well as precipitation and overall storm activity.
Based on that we choose either a marina, if it’s going to really be bad, or a particular anchorage that will protect us from prevailing winds.
But predicting the weather has to be a little like predicting what your spouse will be doing at a particular time without talking to them. Most of the time you’ll get it right but once in awhile they make a left when you thought they’d turn right.
After leaving Spanish Wells we stopped at Booby Cay overnight. It was lovely and we were the only boat there. During the night, however, the wind kicked up and we awoke to the boat rocking like a hammock in a 20mph wind.
There was a storm coming and the prediction was for the chance of 50k+ winds so off to Palm Cay Marina in Nassau! Nice marina, good docks, friendly staff and the best grocery store yet. Tied the boat up nice and tight and waited. And waited. And waited.
Not only did we not get the heavy winds, we didn’t even get any rain to wash the salt off the boat! So Wednesday afternoon we bought water and cleaned the boat. Yes, in the Bahamas they usually charge for water at the marinas just like gas. We have a watermaker on board that works well but you really don’t want to use it in a marina because the water quality is so bad.
Oh well. It was better than when we were in Marsh Harbor and got banged up at the docks.
We’re now anchored off Rose Island which is a really pretty anchorage. Lots of boats and activity. Gary rigged up a diver flag that I can tow behind me when snorkeling so I don’t get run over. It’s been a nice time and we’ve really enjoyed this first try at boating life.
We’re off to Hurricane Hole Marina in Nassau to pick up friends and start the journey back to the states and the DC area.
Thanks for having us over when we were at Rose Island. I see the Dawn Treader in your photo in this post. Our Bahamas cruise is over but we are looking forward to getting to our own boat soon and cruising British Columbia. I’m glad we had a chance to spend some time with you two. Hope our paths cross again. Thanks for a great happy hour! Verena & Mike | PacificSailors.com
It was great to meet both of you. Let us know if you get back to the Bahamas!