S/V Querencia - A Swirish Sailing Adventure: Wednesday 30 December – Saturday 02 January– Big Major’s spot, Exumas Bahamas. 15 miles

The place to be for New Years celebrations in the central Exumas is Staniel Cay Yacht Club on Staniel Cay, or so they say. We headed down there a day early to get ready for the festivities.

Pulled into Sampson’s Cay on the way down to get fill up our water and diesel tanks.
They were out of diesel but we filled the water tanks with 84 gallons at $0.50 per gallon.

Sampson’s Cay is a pretty resort type of island with a well protected marina and excellent facilities.

Anchored on the west side of Big Major Spot which is also called Piggy Beach on account and the wild (?) pigs that freely roam the beach.

On New Years day another front (Front number 3) with a NW component (very unusual, the prevailing winds during a front is N or NE) which made for another bumpy couple of nights at anchor, here we go, rock and roll folks.

After having been on the move constantly for the last 2 months, we felt and need to slow down for a few days and smell the roses (or the Hutia droppings) we also knew that the another front with W components were coming in a couple of days so we decided to head back to Warderick Wells and treat ourselves to 4-5 nights on a mooring ball in a beautiful and very protected place. ( Front number 4)

We got a mooring ball assignment on Saturday and left big Major’s at 10:00 and headed north. This decision turned out to be a bit optimistic since it was still blowing 20-25 kts from, you guessed it, the North. It turns out the sea state on the Bahama Banks is similar to the one on our home waters Chesapeake Bay, short and choppy seas, and rough as a badgers arse.

After slamming into 4-5’ steep waves with short periods for about an hour we got sick of the slamming and the water over the bow and said “Unable” and turned back. Having received a good spanking from Mama Nature, we returned with our tails firmly between our legs and re-anchored the boat at Big Majors. Where are my ruby slippers when I need them?

Sunday we made a second attempt of escaping westerly exposure. Having better luck this time we headed north, again with mild winds a calm sea. Arrived in Warderick Wells at 1:00 snagged a mooring and opened a couple of cold Kaliks!

Finally some relaxation and ready for Front number 4

Staniel Cay Yacht Club...