Mangrove Cay to West End

Our anchorage was a bit bumpy but, after nice breakfast of pancakes and bacon, we were ready to make our final jump onto Old Bahama Bay Resort and Marina.  We were in no real hurry because the winds were light and the seas were calm so the outlook was good for a nice ride.

We raised the sails while at anchor and headed on in a nice beam reach.  We were able to sail for about 20 miles until the wind swung around to our nose.

At that point, we entered the narrow Indian Rock Passage which offered shallow waters and pinball machine like obstacles to keep us on our toes as we made the 5 mile passage. The final mile to OBBR was in the open waters of the Florida Strait and I was surprised to find that although there were some swells, the chop was down and the waters were quite passable.

At the entrance to the harbor, we called the marina on the radio and were once

Second Wind At rest in Old Bahama Bay Marine

again tied to a dock in a place that offered a great number of amenities. 

Before heading to settle up with the dock master, I opened our weather program and was impressed that the 7 day forecast did not look at all favorable for a Crossing.  So, I contracted with the guy at the dock for a minimum of a 3 day stay and bought some tokens for the washers and dryers and made plans for the much needed shower.  It was hot and humid and there was little air moving so the perspiration valves were open wide and running. 

Francois and Natalie's Athena, Our buddy boat on the crossing

As I was leaving, another sailboat came drifting up to the dock and the skipper skillfully laid her against the pilings achieving a score of 9.9. I asked the lady from whence they came and she told me but her French accent did not allow for my understanding.  My next question was, “Where are you heading?” and she replied that they were going to make the Crossing tonight starting at 12 midnight.  We talked about that a bit and the seed was planted.  I headed back to the boat, told Janine of the encounter and again opened the weather program.  The winds would be moderate from the south running between 11 and 14 knots with gusts to 17 knots.  The only winds that are more ideal than southerly winds are no winds at all.

The French Canadian couple, Francois and Nathalie, motored into the slip next to us and we asked if they would be interested in crossing with us as a buddy.  We discussed boat speed and also our ballast handicap and they were quite willing to have us go with them. 

We agreed to meet for dinner at the local restaurant so that we could discuss

The beach at Old Bahama Bay Resort

strategy.  There were things to do to get ready.  We pulled the dink up on the dock and deflated her, packaged her and secured her before the mast.  Our bodies were in a rather retched state of uncleanliness so showers (wonderful warm/cool showers) were next. We then toured the luscious grounds of this beautiful resort.  There was a ¼ mile long white sand beach lined with coconut palms, a really neat two tiered pool in which Francois and Nathalie were bathing, and a chess and checker board in which the chessmen were all about 3 feet tall and the board were pastel.

The two tiered pool at the resort

We met our new friends at 6:00 for dinner.  We shared a glass of wine and ate fine food as we explored each other’s past and present.  We agreed to head out for West Palm Beach and Lake Worth at 12:30 am. 

Back at the boat, we did a bit of emailing and laid down for a few hours of sleep before we disembarked.