And We're Off!

OK – so this is why we’re here. Never mind the fridge that isn’t working again, the water pump that leaks intermittently, the auto pilot and the chart plotter that are goners. We’re sailing, and the sails work!

So we’re ordering a new fridge and auto pilot ($$$$); Jeff already has a replacement chart plotter waiting to be installed, and we’re trying to ignore the water pump, as it still seems to be working. The lack of auto pilot has one advantage – it definitely makes us feel like we’re sailing the boat when we have to hand steer.

We left Elizabeth Harbour yesterday, after 18 days of cleaning, repairing, partying etc., and waiting for a weather window. The wind finally died down to a reasonable 10-12 knots, and we had a calm, downwind trip to the Bahama Bank doing 6.5-7.0 knots (hull speed is 6.5). We harboured in a gorgeous, gin-clear bay off Lee Stocking Island with three other sailboats. Two dolphins greeted us as we came through the cut, swimming alongside the boat in welcome.

This morning, after boiling the defrosted chicken and ribs from the unfrozen freezer, we left the Bank and sailed on the jib down the Bahama Sound (the ocean side) on huge rollers. The wind had picked up to gusts of 17 knots (pretty brisk) – working towards the cold front predicted for Sunday. So we took turns every half hour, as it’s hard work hand steering in the wind and waves. We’ve landed at Little Farmer’s Cay for the night, and plan to sail on the Bank to Staniel Cay tomorrow, where we’ll hunker down for the cold front with attendant heavy wind. It’s great to be moving again – we’re on our way to Eleuthra, new to us!