Staging to Cross the Stream
Our weather sources agreed on an opportunity 4 days in the future of 3 days of southeast 10-15 knot winds; possibly our weather window to sail across the Atlantic waters (Gulf Stream) from Bimini to Florida.
Unfortunately, the interim 3 days in which we needed to cross the Great Bahama bank from Nassau to Bimini was fore casted to be squally with light and variable winds. We felt that too little wind was better than too much and with our eye on the future weather window we started on our way.
Our first day out was great sailing with favourable 15-20 knot winds. We spent that night anchored in the Berry Island chain behind Bird Cay.
On the second day, with the favourable wind still blowing 15-20 knots we made our way across the Tongue of the Ocean to the Northwest Channel Light and onto the banks. We made it about half-way to our next overnight anchorage location of Mackie Shoal before the squalls, laden with numerous water spouts rolled in. Twice in a very short distance we dropped the sails and set anchor to ride the weather out. This was a long day for us as we ended up motor-sailing, arriving at Mackie Shoal after 10 p.m.
The Great Bahama Bank is very shallow (2 to 7 metres deep) and stretches approximately 70 miles between land. It's an odd experience to drop anchor for the night in the middle of open water with no land in sight.
Today, as we sat unhappily anchored, bouncing in the choppy swell and strong wind while the severe weather passed we were awed as a tiny yellow bird landed right beside us in the cock-pit. It rested and looked at us as we marvelled at how far it must have flown in such nasty conditions. As it was, another yellow bird and a huge dragon-fly took respite with us the next day.
Day 3 brought light winds, unfavourable to make Bimini but okay to sail north-west so we decided to just ride with them and exit the bank further north at the Hens & Chickens.
Anchor to Anchor
April 20, 2010 Nassau, New Providence Island to Bird Cay, Berry Islands
8 hours - 33 miles
La 25.24.3'N Lo 077.50.7'W
Anchor to Anchor
April 21, 2010 Bird Cay, Berry Islands to Mackie Shoal, Great Bahama Bank
14 hours - 44 miles
La 25.38.1'N Lo 078.38.3' W
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