PHILIP & SHARON MERLIER
FELLSMERE, FLORIDA
Boat Name: SWIZZLE STICK
Model/Year: 1990 C22
Hull No.
Hailing Port: FELLSMERE, FLORIDA |
 01/21/2004 11:43 PM Pacific Time
My wife and I plan the spend June and July in the Bahamas on our C22. We have been doing a lot of research in guide books etc but we would like some first hand insights from someone would has been their on their C22 or other small boat. For starters here are a few questions:
1) Is water readily available?????
2) What have you found the wind to be like in the summer?
3) What is the sea bottom like most places??? (Sand? Rocky? Flat Rock? Mud?)
4) Is meat readily available at most stores?
5) How bad are the bugs? What kinds of bugs are there? When to the bugs come out?
6) How hot is it at night? Is there wind at night?
7) Is wine reasonably priced?
|
david martin
hutchinson island fl
Boat Name: barefoot gourmet
Model/Year: cat 22 1977
Hull No. 7942 (?)
Hailing Port: Hutchinsom Island Fl |
01/22/2004 6:48 PM Pacific Time
I lived in the Bahamas for 7 years , did a lot of boating and flying and was on last years gulf cruise with you, there are a lot of c-22s over there but not the types who would subscribe to this forum. I would be happy to answer all your questions and you should know it is not a problem with good preperation and choosing your moment to cross the gulf stream which is only 1 overnight from WPB to West End I then strongly recommend across north side of Grand Bahama to Abaco. You may recall I live on Hutchinson Island and have The General Store in Ft Pierce so give me a call anytime , David Martin 772 468 3122 |
Boat Name:
Model/Year:
Hull No.
Hailing Port: |
01/25/2004 5:14 AM Pacific Time
David,
From all that I have read, the gulf stream current pushes you north as you are making the crossing and can really play havic on a small boat such as the C22. How does one prepare for that possibility ?
Thanks
David
C22 Cocktail Cathy |
PHILIP & SHARON MERLIER
FELLSMERE, FLORIDA
Boat Name: SWIZZLE STICK
Model/Year: 1990 C22
Hull No.
Hailing Port: FELLSMERE, FLORIDA |
01/26/2004 8:27 AM Pacific Time
To compensate for the current you start out farther south and adjust you course to compensate for the drift. Also you never cross the Stream when the wind is out of the North at all (makes to very rough). |
Paul Moore
Doylestown, PA
Boat Name:
Model/Year:
Hull No.
Hailing Port: |
02/29/2004 6:39 PM Pacific Time
Good luck to you Phillip & Sharon:
I have spent a reasonable amount of time in the Abacos over the last few years and it is a great, close getaway. While I have not sailed there I have rented fishing and other boats for the sea of Abaco.
Almost everywhere has water, generally go for the Reverse-osmosis(RO) water as it is the most palatable. The well water tends to have a lot of salt, but will not harm you. A small water maker, even a hand unit may be worth your while.
Wind in the summer can go from none to ~10KTS, with t-storms possible anytime (the heat lightning, and storm watching at night is awesome out there)
The Bottom goes from Sand to grass to Coral, so I recommend a good guide, like Steve Dodge’s “The Crusing Guide to Abaco”. Also, If not sailing in heavy air you may want to keep the keel unlocked.
Most stores have meat but it is about double what you will pay here. I would budget on only one to three nights with meat, then gather or catch as much seafood as possible. ( If you spend a little time learning you will be able to catch anything(snappers, trigger, grouper, even dolphin while trolling under sail), so bring some good tackle. Get used to rice, plantains beans etc. your dollar will go far.
Bugs totally depend on where you are - close to the mangroves you will have some, but usually you can find places without.
Same for the heat at night, but not really that hot (Record high in Abaco is 91.- the sun is strong, I would set up with a bimini on the boat.
Wine pricing is OK, more than Florida, but less than here in PA. Beer is expensive but many types of rum and such are well priced.
Goto www.oii.net and look for the bulletin board, there is a lot of good info and knowledgeable people there.
There are some great places to go to and hang out, the party scene is Nippers on Guana, a cay of Abaco. I was just talking to my mother last night, she lives in Treasure Cay, we agreed that really the kind of place where homeless Jimmy Buffet types rub elbows with billionaire Jimmy Buffet types. I have been thinking of hauling my “Sails Call” down to Florida and heading out there myself for month or two.
The Gulf stream is the only concern and once the summer weather pattern is in place there should be no problem, check the weather and be prepared to wait for a few days to make the passage, but you will probably be going against an Easterly, so I would double check your fuel calcs for the 60 mi journey out.
(Must have’s: Sunblock, Snorkle Gear, sunblock, Tilly hat, Fishing pole, did I say sunblock, Visa card)
Good Luck
|
PHILIP & SHARON MERLIER
FELLSMERE, FLORIDA
Boat Name: SWIZZLE STICK
Model/Year: 1990 C22
Hull No.
Hailing Port: FELLSMERE, FLORIDA |
04/15/2004 11:45 PM Pacific Time
Paul:
Thank you for your detailed reply. It is very much appreciated. I don't seem to get this Catalina Direct forum notification everyday so that is why I hadn't noticed your message before now. Thanks, Philip |
david martin
hutchinson island fl
Boat Name: barefoot gourmet
Model/Year: cat 22 1977
Hull No. 7942 (?)
Hailing Port: Hutchinsom Island Fl |
04/19/2004 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Judging by your comments you want to do the exumas and points south I recommend Bruce van stadt's "gentlemans guide to routes south " I got my copy used from Amazon .
The route to Bimini and then over the banks to New Providence can get a bit boring at the speeds of a cat 22 but it will be a great adventure. When I manage to get some time off I will go out of FLL into West End then across north shore of Grand Bahama using all the islands and nooks I need then down Abaco , across to Spanish Wells, down to Exumas ,via Govenor's Harbour then back (or leave the boat and fly back to make 2 hitches) up back side of Exumas across to Bimini and back to home via Jupiter or Stuart inlets. The big deal is not to be rushed , wait for weather window and have alternate destinations and fall back plans . The business is not yet in automatic so will have to wait till next year and perhaps it will be with next boat and keep 22 for trailer adventures in US . Any way have a good time and call if you need anything including help over there David Martin |
PHILIP & SHARON MERLIER
FELLSMERE, FLORIDA
Boat Name: SWIZZLE STICK
Model/Year: 1990 C22
Hull No.
Hailing Port: FELLSMERE, FLORIDA |
04/19/2004 10:04 PM Pacific Time
David & Paul:
Thanks for all the detailed information and recommendations. Will be in touch.
Philip |
Chris Hadden
Newfane, Vermont, USA
Boat Name: no name
Model/Year: 1974 Catalina 22
Hull No. 3439
Hailing Port: Vermont |
09/13/2004 5:06 PM Pacific Time
Did anyone hear back from PHILIP & SHARON MERLIER
who were going to the bahamas? Be interested to hear if that happened and whether they made it safely. I did a trip to abaco in a lancer 25 a number of years ago. Looking back I wouldn't do it again in that boat and certianly not in a catalina 22. I have heard of people going over in a sunfish however it doesn't make it prudent |
PHILIP & SHARON MERLIER
FELLSMERE, FLORIDA
Boat Name: SWIZZLE STICK
Model/Year: 1990 C22
Hull No.
Hailing Port: FELLSMERE, FLORIDA |
09/19/2004 11:39 PM Pacific Time
Hello:
Yes we made it safely back from the Bahamas after spending six weeks over there. It was a real adventure and a learning experience!!! We covered a total of 831 nautical miles. We launched in Key Largo and then crossed over to Bimini. From there we went on to: the Berry Islands - New Providence - the Exuma chain - Eleuthra - the Abacos - and then back to Vero Beach, Florida by way of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. We were the smallest cruising boat (either power or sail) that we saw the entire trip. The smallest cruising boat that we encountered was a 28ft power boat. The average cruising boat was greater than 35 feet and many of them are just plain unbelievable. Of course they all have water makers, showers, refrigeration, and a/c. We had none of those things which made the trip rather uncomfortable at times due to the extreme heat of summer. Also the water seems to have a higher salt content there. We provisioned with plans of being away two months so all we had to buy while we were away was a couple packages of eggs and a few loaves of bread. Obtaining water was never a problem - just about every place has R/O water now. Block ice was never available and cubes cost a fortune so refrigeration was out of the question. The weather was generally good and there was wind most every day. However, the wind was always from the southeast (there were no frontal passages in the summer to make it go around the clock). Thunder storms were only a worry when we were doing the "big water" passages (which we did five of). Every time we put a fishing lure in the water we only caught huge barracuda so after the 10th one we finally gave up since they often are not safe to eat (so much for fresh seafood). The water was clear but we believe the snorkelling is better in the Florida Keys. Our impression of the Bahamas is that there are two categories of people: the very affluent foreigners and the extremely poor native population. Unfortunately, there seems to be no interaction between the two groups. For example the government apparently is unable to collect the taxes that are due from the casino businesses. Consequently programs to benefit the native population are very limited. We were always very careful about our personal possessions and only came close to being victims of crime once --- within 15 minutes of arriving in Bimini (while I was in the Customs office) three men in an outboard boat came very close to stealing our dinghy and possibly boarding our boat --- thankfully my wife appeared on the scene and was enough to deter any further action. Restaurants were nice to go to to get ice cold drinks and maybe some fresh meat however we ate better on our own boat and for a lot less money. We were very thankful that we had purchased a new Honda 9.9 four stroke with power thrust and a long shaft just before the trip. A good and fuel efficient engine is a must in the Bahamas due to the long passages that must be made often directly into the prevailing winds. Gas was readily available and each six gallon tank gave us about a fifty mile range (we had 3 tanks and needed all of them). Some of the passages are much too long to only sail (it would take much too long). In the Bahamas much of the sailing needs to be done in the daylight so you must accept the fact that you have to do some motoring to get to your destinations in time. It was rather difficult for us the accept since we have always been pretty avid sailors. Also we would have had a much more difficult time if we had not had our handheld Garmin GPS units. I give the pre-electronic age sailors a lot of credit. As usual the Delta anchors we used were the only way to go. Weather forcasts were somewhat difficult to get after we got away from the American broadcast stations. There was a very good cruiser net in the Abacos but everywhere else we got most of our weather forcasts from the AM/FM radio and an occasional VHF transmission. Having a dinghy with a motor is a must (we did not which was a big mistake). The distances you have to dinghy while exploring are just too much to row.
In summary: In the summer the weather is fairly settled in the Bahamas which is good for small boat cruising however we found it just tooooo hot to be pleasant to cruise in a small boat. The winter is a much more pleasant time to cruise the area however rather serious weather systems can keep even larger boats at anchor for up to two weeks at a time. Another benefit to cruising in the winter is that the wind goes around the clock as frontal systems pass allowing for some easier passages South. For a small boat like a C22 with a crew who does not have unlimited vacation time I recommend going to the Florida Keys instead. It is much simpler getting there and you have all the benefits of civilization close at hand.
I believe that people (us included) have romantic ideas about crossing a big body of water to get to a foreign country however in reality it may be just as nice staying closer to home. When we are retired and our C22 has grown up to a bigger boat we may return to the Bahamas in the winter but not before. However we are very happy to have experienced the adventure and we learned a lot more about living on the water and dealing with mother nature. It helped build our confidence (especially for my wife who is relatively new to cruising) as well as our respect for what is out there.
We would like to thank everyone to gave us information and moral support for the trip. It was very helpful and appreciated. |
Dick Reynolds
Lebanon, Oregon
Boat Name: Catnip
Model/Year: Swing Keel / 1974
Hull No. 4570
Hailing Port: Newport, Oregon |
09/21/2004 8:28 PM Pacific Time
Welcome back! I've thought about you two many times and am glad your great adventure is successfully over. Yes, I hear what you say about the hardships of voyaging in a small boat but you did it and you did it successfully. Welcome back. |
Chris Hadden
Newfane, Vermont, USA
Boat Name: no name
Model/Year: 1974 Catalina 22
Hull No. 3439
Hailing Port: Vermont |
09/22/2004 9:08 AM Pacific Time
Glad to hear you made it safely. It was interesting to read your impressions of sailing over there in the summer. You did quite a trip in that boat.... a true adventure. The time I spent on my boat in the bahamas was always in the winter. I was never hot but often scared. The winter has its own set of issues. When sailing in the Bahamas there always seems to be some kind of problem your battleing, but without adversity it would not be an adventure it would be a vacation! My wife and I disagree which is better :)
I will make the point though that as the years roll by you always remember the adventures, vacations are forgotten.
Glad to hear your back and still married as well.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
--Helen Keller |
Bob Endicott
Fleet 77- Ft. Walton Beach, FL
Boat Name: Tequila Sunset
Model/Year: 1985
Hull No. 12759
Hailing Port: Ft. Walton Beach, FL |
09/23/2004 4:21 AM Pacific Time
Phillip & Sharon,
So glad you made it back safely (I never had any doubts). Having sailed with you on the Northern Gulf Coast Cruise, I knew you to be skilled sailors with a well found boat. If you've been following the news, you know that the 2005 Northern Gulf Coast Cruise is going to look a lot different. After we get dug out, we'll need to make a reccy trip to see how many of our usual haunts still exist (including anchorages!).
Welcome back! |
david martin
hutchinson island fl
Boat Name: barefoot gourmet
Model/Year: cat 22 1977
Hull No. 7942 (?)
Hailing Port: Hutchinsom Island Fl |
11/28/2004 4:55 PM Pacific Time
to phillip and sharron.
I finally caught up with your report and was glad to see your route although as I wrote I would do it in reverse in summer I think we will be going late spring , best wishes David and Kathy |
