Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Spanish Cay, Bahamas

Wednesday 2.21 At anchor – Spanish Cay Bahamas
Did you know Spanish Cay is privately owned and you need to ‘call in advance to arrive here?’  Well, neither did we!  We anchored West of the Marina and took the dinghy over to investigate, as the entire place looked closed up and abandoned.  There was a total of ONE boat in the entire marina.  A work-boat that was way off at the edge.  We tied off the dinghy and went up to the Marina Store.  Steffanie was there with her cut 8 month old boxer pup.  When the door chimed at our entrance she looked up and said, “where did you come from?”  I just pointed out at Prodigal.  ‘we sailed here.’  To which she replied, “It’s a private Island.  You are supposed to call before arrival.”  (live and learn)  It turned out even private Islands will allow two hungry Pirates entrance into the store when they have their wallets with them…  Steff told us we could sit on the porch in the shade and relax before departing.  (we were NOT welcome to walk around the island as we were not guests.)  I saw 3 other workers around the main building and was informed the cook had gone to Marsh Harbor for provisions.  We were invited to be guests for dinner but opted to return to the boat before dark.

Today we motored East about 30 miles and plan to motor in the morning to Green Turtle Cay.  We might stay there for a day and check it out before moving on to Marsh Harbor.  Ricks flight out is 2.27th so we have some flexibility in our sailing schedule. 

On the passage today we saw about 5 other boats.  Most were headed West and happily sailing along as we motored and pounded into waves.  During our transit we listened to a book on tape.  It mostly held my interest and kept me awake.  When we hit a big wave and took water on the bow and I got splashed in the face I was awake again.  While I was at the helm, Rick did a load of clothes.  (hand wash)  Then hung them up on the mizzen mast ala white trash style.




My view from the Cockpit.


Ricks in the kitchen now cooking fried Chicken, corn on the cob, baked beans and drop biscuits.  I’m in the salon typing and smelling the chicken.  We have not gone hungry on this voyage.  The other night we had a MASSIVE fish medley.  Both Grouper handouts at the same time.  Again Rick cooked.  We had a couple of brussel sprouts, one stick of kale and some cabbage.  He flash fried it then set the grouper on top of it to steam.  YUM.  Earlier in the week we had a roast beef meal.  








We didn’t ‘catch’ any fish today.  (3 barracuda yesterday)  We got a hard strike but he took our lure.  So chicken for dinner.  Life is good.  I hope you were able to land your dinner today and not resort to chicken while anchored off a Private Island?

-Peg Leg Pirate Skip

UNDERWAY - off a cell tower and Ricks phone

Monday 2.19.2018   West End to Mangrove Cay, Bahamas


It was a windy, sunny day.  Gusts to 30knots.  We pulled anchor about 8am and motored out into the Atlantic, up the west coast in about 150 ft of water.  Rick dropped a couple of lures over the side and caught three barracuda on our 40ml transit.  (we went over Barracuda Shoals. Seriously, that’s the name on the charts.)  We released them all.  Now we are anchored just off Mangrove Cay in 9ft of crystal clear water.  Rick has volunteered to cook dinner and I am working on the Blog.  There are five other boats anchored nearby.  (3 when we arrived and more probably arriving later.)  The plan is to sail tomorrow up to Carters Caye and anchor for the night.  It’s said to be an ‘old military installation.’  Abandoned and from a USA missile tracking station.
We prepared everything to SAIL today but instead motored directly – ‘read’ directly – into the wind.  With a very strong wind of 30+ knots we preferred to motor than turn her on her side.  Plus we knew that we would arrive before dark without having to hurry.
So now I can relax, enjoy a beautiful Happy Hour before dinner.   
I hope your anchor holds wherever you are.
-          -Peg Leg Pirate Skip


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Tue 2.20 
Another Great Day.   Mangrove Cay-Carter Cay


      We motored into the wind all day.  (still a motor boat and not a sailboat)  Now we are anchored at Carter Cay a 40ml transit today.  Left our anchorage at 7:30 and motored across the Little Bahama Bank averaging 4-5knts across 15 ft deep water arriving and setting the anchor by 3p.  Rick is going to do some fishing here while I work on the blog.  Today was fairly uneventful.  I caught a good size Baracuda.  We saw one (1) other boat all day.  It was headed in the same direction but about 4 miles off our starboard and went somewhere else.  Last night there were 5 other ‘boats’ anchored with us and then a mega yacht pulled in about dark.  He had his tender towed behind.  He was probably about 100’ long plus a 24’ tender.  (his dinghy was half the size of my boat)  When he put on his anchor light, he had a second light on his dinghy.  I’m not jealous.  I cant afford: his diesel bill, his crew in pretty costumes. His dinghy.  (heck, any of his bills)  Plus, my view is better down closer to the water!  



       Rick put out a single fishing line today and i caught about a 3’ Baracuda.  (It was pretty big and I say it had dentures)  I  caught it because Rick was working the helm at the time and I got to catch it.  Sometimes it just be’s that way.


      Tonight for dinner we are having the two grouper fillets our waitress gave us in Ft. Lauderdale.  (At Jimbo’s)  Plus the second half of the massive Grouper fillet that guy tossed me back in West End at the marina 2 days ago.  Fish plus brussels sprouts, cabbage, salad and kale.  Yum!  I get to pick out the movie tonight and am leaning toward a Western.  Something old (like me) with a lot of excitement to hopefully keep me awake!  Tomorrow we are planning to move to Crab Cay or nearby about a 40 mile motor sail.  That will leave us about another 35 miles to cross before Rick flies home on the 27th

-         Peg Leg Pirate Skip
    Wed. 2.21
      We left our anchorage about 7:30 and are motoring toward Spanish Cay for the night.  it's 10:27 and Rick got a cell signal, so i am posting underway.  It's a brisk wind from the East and seas about 4 feet.  We 'hope' to be anchored by 3pm?  Hope you are enjoying your day back in the world.   -Skip