Florida to the Bahamas
There are three places to clear, depending on where you want to spend time. First is Cat Cay, which is fairly quick and easy to clear, but they charge youeither 50 to 100 dollars just to tie to the dock to clear. We usually clear here, since we do not want to stop in Nassau, and stopping at Chub Cay can also cost and be problematical. Last time we went there, was the time our shift cable came off, and we were stock in forwar gear, and not ealizing this, we hit the dock a mighty whack after i complained we did no seem to be slowing down and Dave tol me to “fun it.” they tried to hit our insurance company for enogh money to redo every dock in the marina and settled for what would have covered the whole length of the dock, not just the one section we damaged. I guarantee they just took the money and ran, and the dock never did get repaired, but I have not been back to look. Another choice is to go down to Morgan’s Bluff at the top of Andros from North West Channel light,where you can clear, and we have friends that do that, but we have not. If you cross from further south, you can go in through a cut south of I think it is South riding rock. Tried that once years ago coming over from angelfish Creek, but there were drug boats anchored there, where we planned to spend the night so we charged on. The reason we stop at Cat Cay is that if it is early enogh, we travel onward, anchor on the banks, usually just a little shy of North West channel Light, and then go on the next day to near Shroud Cay. Since we have covered all the neat places to anchor in the past like to the east of Chub Cay, near Green Cay or Rose island or even the west side of New Providence if the wind is in the east, we just press on. In your case, if it is all new, take your time and try every thing. If we want to be safer than down town Nassau, we go to Nick and Carolyn Wardles and tie to their dock.Long time friends, reasonable rates, and especially good if we have to fly our for some reason. their email is cwardle@batelnet.bs. Nick was head of BASRA, Bahamas Air Sea and Rescue Association and SEARCH, the american based fund raising org, and Carlyn runs a business taking people to see the birds and natural parts of NP, not just the casinos. Other good places to stop if you are heading south in the Exumas is Highbourne Cay, a marina and anchorage, SHROUD CAY TO TAKE A DINGHY EXPLORE THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE AND OF COURSE Exuma Land and Sea Park. In the past if you were willing to work, you could stay for free. It is a neat place to go, socially and to hike and meet the wild life ashore and in the water. You will have a great adventure where ever you go. Now we just try to make it simple, usually because we were dodgeing the weather, so it was cross and clear and go on to the banks near NW light, then to Shroud, then to Staniel for a day, then down to Cave Cay, and outside in Exuma Sound to Georgetown. We miss a lot of beautiful territory but once in GT, I no longer worry about weather. there is always a place to ride out everything in that large harbor. Places we used to stay in our 46 foot sail boat, just are too tight to get sufficient scope for nasty stuff in this heavier bigger boat. Also, all the things I loved about the Bahamas, the beaches to walk, the reefs to snorkle, the fishing, are out of my realm now, due to age, so that is why I love staying in Florida with its endless entertainment, lectures and classes. Latest and GREATEST was laughing our heads off at Paula Poundstone! Yesterday it was the play Love Letters by Neil Simon and tomorrow it is three classes, one of what is happening in the terrorist world, and what is happening in dysfunctioal washington. At least that has its lighter moments.
Have a great great loop!
On Feb 22, 2015, at 4:03 PM, John Simons > wrote:
Should we go to Key Largo and cross to Nassau to clear Bahamian customs and then go to Georgetown? What do you suggest?
Dave and Bev Feiges
Aboard Cloverleaf
Marina Bay,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
847 363 4905
http://feiges.blogspot.com
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