0822
The other boats in the flotilla have been expecting to check in to the Bahamas here in Spanish Cay. However due to the elections the Customs lady was not here. She had threatened if her favorite candidate did not get re-elected as Prime Minister she would take the next week off. The guy did not get re-elected, so we left Spanish Cay this morning. They hope to check in at Green Turtle Cay as soon as we get there.
Beautiful day! This is why we are cruising! Winds are out of the south at 14 kts (apparent). In other words, decent breeze for sailing. We are trying to get to Green Turtle Cay by 1030 this morning at high tide. There is a 100yard very shallow spot to get into Black Sound that we might have an issue with as we are a 6' draft and the deepest of the five boats.
0833
Sailing now main and jib doing about 5 kts. Even at this rate we will be there early. Now 5.8. LOL. I need to change the oil today. We are over the 50 hour limit given to us by Mark DeJong, our mechanic in KW. So I will get it done this afternoon. Also want to run the battery down a bit and check the engine charging capability for the house battery. If we run the charge down and put a voltmeter on the battery as the engine is running, I can determine if the engine is actually charging the system sufficiently. I need to rewire the voltage meter on the boat!
I feel like such a novice at this.
Actually sailed most of the way to Green Turtle Cay this morning. Beautiful day and we saw 6.2 kts under sail at times. But as time got close to the 1034 high tide coming into Black Sound, all of us kicked the boats up to a consistent 6.0 kts to arrive as a group to meet our pilot boat into the channel. We do make a considerable armada entering into the anchorages or marinas. We were recognized all over the island.
The other four boats had to check in to the Customs and Immigration office initially. The rules say the master of the vessel has to check the boat and himself in first then the others come with their passports. It was a 15 minute walk into customs up a hill and back down that was uncomfortable for several of the party. The guys called on the radio to get the ladies to walk into town to meet them. Problem with that was the guys went to a nearby bar and forgot to tell us where they were. It was a less than cheery scene when everyone got together. it was needless, and the alcohol just made it worse. Lesson learned-Renne and I will be carrying our Walkie-talkies with us from now on!
Afternoon toddies at "the Wrecking Tree on Bay Street, then dinner at Pineapple's. Had grilled conch for dinner. Ron Ivea had Cracked Conch which looked better.
Met three guys from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, then a father, two sons, and a son-in-law from Wisconsin and Minnesota. Great conversations with both. Very funny and witty.
Back on the boats by 2200 (10 pm).
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