Abaco, Bahamas: Cruising Log (II)

Cruising Log of Sea of Abaco, Bahamas (II)

Contributed By: The Langs (langmail@STIS.net)

Trip dates: May 3, 2003 through May 10, 2003

The Crew

Six adults, all professionals dealing with the public, 3 in the medical field. We were looking for solitude and relaxation. A stress relieving kind of trip in our favorite type of environment, “off the beaten path". No Disney lines or park tours. I am an experienced boater with cruising experience in other areas of the Bahamas, but have never been to Abaco before this trip. I studied all the cruising guides and charts, and got familiar with our boat and the systems that would be aboard a full year in advance, and gained some great insight from this board.

The Boat

Moorings/NauticBlue 372 (Maryland 37) build by Fountaine Pajot. A 37ft. power catamaran. I chartered the "Exclusive" line for a newer boat, and stepped aboard a boat that had been out twice before. All systems ran perfectly, sea trials were done the first two times out! People at the Mooring/NauticBlue base were all fantastic and professional. Thanks Samantha — you’re a master at your craft. Great boat for six of us, plenty of room, ventilation was great and very comfortable underway. Fully provisioned, all acceptable and more than enough.

Weather

PERFECT! All week long, 10-15 SE, 80’s, clear skies, no rain, water was the perfect refreshing temperature. Brought the wet suite, never put it on. We had minimal bug activity.

Day 1

20 SM by ground/160 NM by air/ 25 NM by sea. Our designated travel day. We left Ft. Lauderdale with Air Florida with no problems. Air Florida took care of us from start to finish. Arrived at the base at the Conch Inn around 11:00AM. Left marina around 3:00PM. Went past Whale at 4:30PM. We were mixing drinks, popping Kaliks, and swinging on the hook in Coco Bay at the north end of GTC by 6:00PM. Ground, air, and water — we've made it and cheer our success. We are the only boat in this cove and watch out first Abaco sunset.

Day 2

5 NM / we head up the north end on Munjack. Cruise around Munjack Rocks in the channel between the shoals, an absolutely beautiful morning run. We spend the entire day in that beautiful anchorage. (We saw the gentleman who brings his fishing charters to that beach to cook the fresh catch. I talked to him briefly; I did not want to take his time from his customers, but nice guy. Furthermore his customers were raving about what a great time they were having. I know I've seen some info about this guide out of GTC — it's worth a contact if you’re interested.) This anchorage is beautiful with so much to offer. We could have spent days there. We were the only boat when night fell.

Day 3

9 NM / We head north to Cooper Town for some Ice & top off the water tanks while were tied up. We now learn how to store our ice in the fridge and freezer aboard and are able to go the next few days with what we buy. Head up to anchor off Powell Cay. More boats now and we find a nice place to drop the hook towards the north end. In the afternoon we hike the trail behind the boat wreck ashore to find a spectacular Atlantic side beach with offshore breakers. What a change from trying to find a spot for yourselves on a South Florida Beach. Very pretty anchorage.

Day 4

9 NM / we head south to anchor between Munjack and Crab Cays. We took the dink to the Southeast tip of Munjack. Unbelievable beach, prehistoric looking as one of our crew described it. It is worth the effort to get there. We set up a base camp on the beach for the day and explored. Caught some Gray Snapper and cooked it up on the boat grill that night — awesome! We meet some nice people in the anchorage and learned a little about the two houses in that bay. Four other boat tonight, including a nice Krogen 39.

Day 5

5 NM / Headed south to GTC and into White Sound to the Bluff House Yacht Club for the day & night. I had made reservations months prior and was received without a problem. New facility, they have done a great job. We rented golf carts for the day and explored GTC and New Plymouth. Slurped tasty Goombay Smashes, signed our crew logo above the mirror, and talked with Violet for a few moments. Very sweet lady, please don't miss a stop to the Blue Bee Bar. Enjoyed a walk through town and visiting the local interest and meeting some nice people. One gentleman took his time and explained his water storage tank and rainwater collection system I was noticing in the yards in town. Lunch was at Laura's Kitchen. Did some towels at the laundry back at the marina for a crew treat. Enjoyed a great dinner up in the dinning room with appetizers around the pool deck up on the bluff overlooking New Plymouth from the Northwest. We took just a few pictures. Michael and everyone at the Bluff House were fantastic. It was a great day ashore for our crew. (Even though we had the "sway" feeling happening every time we sat or stood still, 80 hours of bobbing in the water in the prior days — loving that feeling once again!) I recommend The Bluff House highly. We will be back to GTC to rent a cottage on the beach, or with a dock with a 20' CC. We all loved that Cay and it's people.

Day 6

11 NM / Headed south past Whale into Bakers Bay. The most boats so far, but expected. We anchored at the very southern end of the bay. Visited shore and took some great pictures at the "Beach Nuts Café". Great little place I highly recommend kind of a self serve type of joint. Very pretty sunset this night looking northwest with all the boats in the bay at anchor in our foreground. Again, only a few pictures taken.

Day 7

12 NM / I picked up the hook early and headed over to the Northwest side of the spoil bank and anchored SW of the shoal leading off towards the NW from the spoil. We swung over a beautiful sandy bottom in a surreal type of setting. Rays, Sharks, Barracuda, Turtles, all came by our boat over the next few hours. The shelling was just as advised .. more than you can ever want to take home. We really enjoyed our day here. If you have the time, it’s worth it. We headed south towards Matt Lowe’s Cay for our last night. Set the boat out of the locals’ way. We saw many boats going to and from Sugar Loaf Creek over to Marsh. Watching some of them head between the rocks that stretch between Matt Lowe’s and Sugar Loaf heading over to Hope Town made me cringe every time I saw it. I have the highest respect for the local boaters and their local knowledge they poses out here. One last Abaco sunset, only boat in anchorage.

Day 8

4 NM / Returned to the fuel dock by 9:00AM in Marsh Harbour. Went to Wally’s for lunch. Tasty Dolphin burger’s all around with fritters, and some local brew (gold!). Flight out of paradise at 4:30PM. Once again Air Florida delivered, arrived home safely and event free. Thanks Frank, you're a real pro.

Trip Summary/Details/Comments

We Burned 56 gallons of fuel in the 78 NM we cruised. This includes the creature comforts of running the generator every night for A/C. We babied our new boat and never went over 2000 RPM’s and cruised an average of 10kts. We tried to be respectful to the local traffic, rules and its residence. Not to be abusive to this truly magical and wonderful natural environment. We snorkeled, explored, floated on the rafts we brought over, and soaked up the area we were at on every stop at every anchorage. The undersea life we saw has to be seen to be believed. Even trying to stay low under the radar, we meet some very nice people all along the way. From a five-year-old who lives on a 38 catamaran with her sister and family, to long time cruisers nice enough to let us step into their world for a short period of time. I came prepared, the Moorings/NauticBlue provided a sound Yacht with review, and reliable weather and cruising information. We ended up with a perfect trip to a beautiful place filled with hospitable and friendly people.

Till next time....