Passage to the Bahamas

It was time to go, finally.  We had spent 2 weeks, exactly, in St. Marrten getting the boat ship shape and beautiful.  The autopilot was fixed, the oven was in working order, we topped off our fuel, filled our water tanks and pre-made our meals.  We were R-E-A-D-Y.  We were provisioned to the hilt!  We had food and supplies stowed in every nook and cranny possible.  We even had cases of beer stacked as stairs in the girls cabin!  The Bahamas have a way of doing this to cruisers.  The stories that are passed down are mind numbing and put the fear of God in you.  We heard that cases of beer were sold for $90, fresh fruits and vegetables were priced out of this world and the basic necessities, well forget it.  You wouldn't be able to get them, period!  So what is a family of five to do??  Two words come to mind:  Stock Up!  I am certain that our boat sank 2 additional inches once we were done provisioning.

We weighed anchor at 0745 and motored towards the french bridge.  There were a number of boats milling around waiting for the bell to ring.  Once the bridge opened, we all went through like ducks in a row.  We raised the sails and were off and running.  The wind was brisk at 20-25 knots as we sailed due north toward Great Inagua, Bahamas.  The northern swell had laid down and we were running with the seas.  We were settled in for 4 days, our last big passage.

 Watching dolphins in our bow wake

Dolphins escorting us from St. Marrten

 We made excellent time to Virgin Gorda, BVI, sailing 90 nm in less than 10 hours!  Once we passed the BVI's the wind settled down to a steady 15 knots, the following seas were diminished to a comfortable motion.

 Maggie takes her morning watch, enjoying the autopilot

 Craig and Liv take a rest after setting all the fishing gear in the early morning.

Kate helps bring in the fish

 Look Ma....we caught one!  Rainbow Runner.

 Kate assumes her favorite passage activity

Eating like kings and queens on passage:  fresh caught fish, pan fried in olive oil and garlic, served with wasabi soy sauce, and veggie pasta salad. 

 Patching a pin hole leak in the dinghy.  Craig's make shift way of applying pressure to the patch while underway.

 The girls listening to music, enjoying the breeze.

 No Hands!!  The autopilot is working like a charm.

 Wendy getting excited reeling in a fish.

 Olivia reeling in the line to rid the hook of seaweed.

Craig's new teaser made from a piece of bamboo with big shiny washers on either end.  You drag it behind the boat to trick the fish into thinking there are other fish feeding around your lures (so they'll bite).  We hooked 4 fish after he implemented the teaser!

 Fish On!

Here it comes....what is it??

Female Mahi Mahi

 One of many passage snacks:  hard boiled eggs

Hello cutie!

It was surreal to think that this would be our last big passage of the trip.  Once we reached the Bahamas, we'd only be a day away (or less) to any island in the Bahamas and the US.  Our family has come to really enjoy the long passages and look forward to them.