For the first time in 22 months, Crimson Kathryn was moving under sail power only. It’s such a wonderful thing to be sailing. You can hear the wind in the sails, the waves crashing as we slice through them and of course the ever active auto helm (we fondly call Auto!) that steers the boat for us. Today was a perfect sailing day – we had all 3 sails up with wind speed varying from 9 kts to 12 kts. That’s just enough wind for us to get some speed (we do much better with higher wind speeds). The wind direction was very consistent coming from the north east which allowed us to sail a straight course to Rose Island (just east of New Providence Island – home of Nassau). We left our somewhat rolly anchorage at Soldier Cay at 7 am this morning. Sails were up by 7:30 am and we maintained an average speed of 6.5 kts.
It’s been awhile since my last post, so I’ll back up a bit and start from our slightly extended stay at Ocean Reef Yacht Club on Grand Bahamas Island. Sunday, Feb. 6th was a busy day of Covid testing and shopping. The rented car from Ocean Reef was super handy. Mark, Jane, Steve and I drove out to the airport for our 48 hour Covid test (we’re all negative and very happy about that). We did some grocery shopping and Steve filled up his diesel jerry cans. It was a very productive day!
We’re always watching the weather (mostly the wind) so we can make decisions about moving through the islands. On Sunday, the upcoming winds were looking not great for sailing (at least on Monday and Tuesday). Wednesday, Feb. 9 looked promising with wind predicted to be from the south west to north west. Jane and Steve decided to leave on Monday and motor (and possibly motor-sail) the 75 kts to White Cay in the Berry’s. So we said goodbye (for now) to our buddy boat Monday morning! Our decision to stay until Wednesday meant we had to pay for one more night at the marina but we had to leave that day no matter what the wind was doing because Grand Bahamas is one of 4 islands that has a inter-island travel restriction. If you stay longer than 72 hours, you have to get a Covid test before you leave.
Wednesday morning at 6:30am we left the dock at Ocean Reef and set course for Petit Cay (north east side of the Berry’s). Unfortunately we didn’t see that predicted wind. But we had no wind and the water was flat, flat, flat! We made excellent time under motor and ended up going further south to Soldier Cay – a nice little anchorage that we had all to ourselves!
Alright all caught up!! Today’s sail was amazing and we were joined by all kinds of sailboats! Everyone took advantage of the wind direction to get further south from the Berry’s. There was a catamaran, named Gratus, that was in front of us as we left Soldier Cay and over the course of the day, we managed to catch and pass them. That’s a big deal for this old boat!! She is so suited for sailing – heavy (about 23,000 lbs) which helps her sink into the water so she can take those waves on! The shape of the boat is designed to cut through the water, especially as the wind kicks up. This boat wants wind and she gets in her happy spot when the wind reaches 15 – 20 kts. Today didn’t give us those wind speeds but it was a great sail anyhow.
We’re now anchored on the south side of Rose Island and the plan is to leave here in the morning and head to Hawksbill Cay. Jane and Steve on Daydreams ll are already on a mooring ball at this island. We’re expecting a rather blowy Sunday and Monday (coming from the north east) so we’ll be moving a little further south, near Cambridge Cay, to tuck in for a few days. Like I said – always watching the wind!
Crimson Kathryn and her crew 