Captains Log 03/03/07
Located in Marsh Harbor, Abaco
Because the winds were clocking to south and soon to southwest we decided to leave Great Guana Cay and head for a harbor with better protection. As is usually the case wind was on the nose and blowing 20 knots. With main reefed and a #3 geona all the way out we sailed close and fast along the Great Guana Cay and North Man-O-War channel. I saw that charts were indicating a sand bar just inside and to the north on the North Man-O-War channel so I paid close attention to our depth sounder. And there again soundings were in single digits. Watercolor was pretty consistent lighter and darker shades of green, reminiscent of 10+ feet of water over sand or grass. But after the 9s started turning into 8s, I decided to at least slow us down by heading up unto the wind more and more. This gave us less heel, better overall progress towards Marsh Harbor and lower speed in case we do bump the sand. I just hope there are no obstructions on the seafloor. After I completely exhausted my patience and anxiety with 8 and 9’ readings, and got a few 7-somethings, I decided to tack, and proceed on a heading towards Great Cistern Cay. Soon the reading got a bit better 10s and 12s. Wind remained in the 15-20 out of SW and we were on the west shore of the sea of Abaco in less than 30 minutes. After that it was time to start the engine, lower the sails and get the ground tackle ready. We were arriving on the last half f the rising tide in mid afternoon. I was surprised to see the anchorage completely full. Some familiar faces and boat names were there, but finding a spot was tough. We ended up squeezing through just SW of the second red marker to find 6 feet of water and come to a complete stop on the mud/sand bar. Later on a gentleman next to us shouted that its very shallow there. Well the tide was rising so I just dropped the anchor and muscled my way in reverse to try to hook it. Unfortunately and mud was stirring up and I knew we cannot stay here because at low tide (spring tide was the next evening) we would probably heel about 20 degrees. So I left the boat and put on my snorkeling gear, got into the dinghy and went around the boats talking to people and looking for 8-9 feet of water. I drew that usually disbelief on people’s faces. “You draw over 7’ and you came to the Abacos”? Good luck. But I eventually did find a spot and before dark we got the anchor up and moved to a place that was better. At least here while still touching the bottom at low tide, we did not heel, and did manage to move around as the wind clocked along the cold front. Marsh Harbour is very nice. We kind of used it as a hub and did day trips to where ever we can find good shelter and plenty of water. Then after my cousin came with his girlfriend, we spend a week on the west side of Man-o-War cay eating grouper, snapper and spiny lobsters, enjoying sunsets and warm clear water.
Because the winds were clocking to south and soon to southwest we decided to leave Great Guana Cay and head for a harbor with better protection. As is usually the case wind was on the nose and blowing 20 knots. With main reefed and a #3 geona all the way out we sailed close and fast along the Great Guana Cay and North Man-O-War channel. I saw that charts were indicating a sand bar just inside and to the north on the North Man-O-War channel so I paid close attention to our depth sounder. And there again soundings were in single digits. Watercolor was pretty consistent lighter and darker shades of green, reminiscent of 10+ feet of water over sand or grass. But after the 9s started turning into 8s, I decided to at least slow us down by heading up unto the wind more and more. This gave us less heel, better overall progress towards Marsh Harbor and lower speed in case we do bump the sand. I just hope there are no obstructions on the seafloor. After I completely exhausted my patience and anxiety with 8 and 9’ readings, and got a few 7-somethings, I decided to tack, and proceed on a heading towards Great Cistern Cay. Soon the reading got a bit better 10s and 12s. Wind remained in the 15-20 out of SW and we were on the west shore of the sea of Abaco in less than 30 minutes. After that it was time to start the engine, lower the sails and get the ground tackle ready. We were arriving on the last half f the rising tide in mid afternoon. I was surprised to see the anchorage completely full. Some familiar faces and boat names were there, but finding a spot was tough. We ended up squeezing through just SW of the second red marker to find 6 feet of water and come to a complete stop on the mud/sand bar. Later on a gentleman next to us shouted that its very shallow there. Well the tide was rising so I just dropped the anchor and muscled my way in reverse to try to hook it. Unfortunately and mud was stirring up and I knew we cannot stay here because at low tide (spring tide was the next evening) we would probably heel about 20 degrees. So I left the boat and put on my snorkeling gear, got into the dinghy and went around the boats talking to people and looking for 8-9 feet of water. I drew that usually disbelief on people’s faces. “You draw over 7’ and you came to the Abacos”? Good luck. But I eventually did find a spot and before dark we got the anchor up and moved to a place that was better. At least here while still touching the bottom at low tide, we did not heel, and did manage to move around as the wind clocked along the cold front. Marsh Harbour is very nice. We kind of used it as a hub and did day trips to where ever we can find good shelter and plenty of water. Then after my cousin came with his girlfriend, we spend a week on the west side of Man-o-War cay eating grouper, snapper and spiny lobsters, enjoying sunsets and warm clear water.
posted by sundowner-cruise at 1:01 PM
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