Island Spirit's Exumas 2013 plan

We are on the launch pad... fuel filters changed, oil changed, provisioned up, SSB PACTOR modem working, watere filled, and fuel jugs on deck!. We have a perfect weather window for crossing the stream over to the Bahama banks and then onto New Providence and the Exumas Chain of Islands. We are waiting for our friend Jeff, who wanted to jump onboard for a ride to George Town. He will arrive Thur. Our plan is to take this calm weather and motor sail 30 hours to Andros then onto New Providence at the west end, where we will anchor off Lyford Cay. From there we will have a great sail on the new frontal winds southeast to Highbourne. At least that is "da plan" for now....

Our trip is planned as such.

0700 Biscayne Channel....most likely FRIDAY !!!
1500 Gun Cay, enter onto the banks with a west sun behind us
1600-0300 Run the Bahama Banks all night long
0300 North West Channel, exit the banks into the Tongue of the Ocean
0700 Enter Morgan's Bluff on NE side of Andros Island, anchor and take dinghy in!
0800-0900 Customs, clear into the Bahamas via dinghy to shore
1000 Depart Morgan's Bluff for Lyford Cay, west end of New Providence Island
1400 Anchor down Lyford Cay
Night at anchor
Next day
0700 anchor up, set sail for Highbourne Cay
Anchor
At this point we will be safely behind the the Exumas Chain and protected from the East Trade Winds.

Now we can casually head south exploring the chain of islands down to George Town.

We plan to be in the Exumas all of Feb and half of March. After that we will work our way back north to the Abacos where we will spend half of March and all of April reviewing what we learned last year.

Here is a map of this plan...



Hayden on anchor Biscayne Bay

Here is our window as outlined by NOAA and the offshore forecast...

THURSDAY
EAST WINDS 9 TO 14 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.

THURSDAY NIGHT
EAST SOUTHEAST WINDS 9 TO 14 KNOTS. SEAS
AROUND 2 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.

FRIDAY
SOUTH WINDS 6 TO 11 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 2 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

FRIDAY NIGHT
ALONG THE COAST...WEST SOUTHWEST WINDS 7 TO
10 KNOTS BECOMING NORTHWEST 6 TO 9 KNOTS.
IN THE GULF STREAM...
WEST SOUTHWEST WINDS 8 TO 13 KNOTS BECOMING NORTHWEST. SEAS
AROUND 2 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SLIGHT CHANCE
OF SHOWERS.

SATURDAY
NORTH NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO
3 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

Hayden:

Very exciting! I'm currently making plans to follow your recommended itinerary for a charter in the Abacos the last week in May, if I can make all the logistics work. Given all the help the airlines are providing, I think it may be simpler to go there in your own boat!

Fair winds, let's hope the crossing is an uneventful as you expect. Be sure to post a picture or two....

--sb

Steve:
You will really enjoy the Abacos. We really had a great time last year learning the area. We look forward to returning there again this year in April.
Hayden

Hayden, we are quite a bit behind you, but will follow your progress and hope to catch up with you at some point. John and Nancy coming to stay with us for a couple of days while Adventuress is having a bowthrusterectomoy.

Alan

Alan:
We will miss you guys, but I bet you will find us in the Abacos. We will be up there in the end of March and all of April. Lets rendezvous in Marsh Harbour. I know you will have a blast with John and Nancy, they are so much fun. Have a great time.
Hayden

May Island Spirit have calm seas and exciting adventures on your cruise - some day, my dream will follow you..................