Last Thursday evening I pulled the anchor from Luperon Dominican Republic, along with another single hander, Oscar, a 66 year old German, married to an American and headed out to sea. I knew that it would be a rough trip to the Bahamas, as the trades had been in the low high teens and low twenties for a few days. True to form, the Dominican coast was rough. We left at about 10 pm and the first 7 or 8 hours the wind and seas were cranking. It takes some gumption to launch to sea at night by yourself and I always have to fight fear. But once I'm underway and moving, with tasks a plenty I start feeling much better. This was no different, but the sea was running 8 feet or more with twenty plus knots. At night with the clouds streaming across the glow of the moon, it felt like a storm. The boat is amazing though. Once the proper sail combination is set and the wind vane dialed in the boat easily handles a 10 foot wave rolling under her quarter.
The next day, we had gained sufficient distance for the Dominican coast and the sea became more consistent and smooth. In fact, I spent the rest of the trip trying to slow the boat down. Entering Mayaguana is a no joke shot through a reef, and then a five mile journey inside the reef with coral heads abound. We had to time our arrival with the proper sunlight to spy the coral easily.
Christa entered the reef at 10 am, a tad early, but we did just fine. Anchors down in 8 feet of the clearest water on the face of the planet.
First impressions of Mayaguana. Remote. Just feels like the end of the world.
I'm looking closely at the weather and hope to leave within a couple of days to make either Long Island or shoot through Galliot Cut and make the Exuma's. We shall see!
Capt Chris
5 comments:
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
Cool Capt Chris, been catching up on your blog since you jumped ship from sailblogs. Did you ever use your towing gen in anger and how did it perform.
fair winds and clear seas.
Colin and Nichola
Yacht emerald dott com
Capt Chris -- Thanks again for sharing not only your experiences, but your feelings. Your blog is unique in that regard. It's fun to compare your Abe's Bay photo to the Google top-down view. The larger coral heads are quite visible on the Google sat view. Your photo, of course, gives us the view we'd all like to be experiencing. Regards -- Gordo
"Can't wait to see you"
Capt Chris better get a flight.
You can come back to Staniel and enjoy the Exumas after Christmas.
You only live once!
Chip from Fl
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