2022-05-08 North to the Abacos, Hope Town, Getting ready to head back

 We left Harbor Town in Eleuthera, and had a bit lumpy, but not bad sail up to the Abacos.  Made good time, and dropped anchor at Tilloo Cay.   52.74 nautical miles in 7.5 hours, so averaged 7 knots, which we were happy with, as winds averaged 8 to 15 knots, out of the SE.

Next day was time for some projects.  We have been debating whether or not to pull the mast when we haul out in the fall - as it will cost around $700 to do so.  We would like to run a new wire in the mast for a VHF/AIS antenna, and cell phone antennas.   Someone suggested a method of running a new wire without pulling the mast, so we thought we would try it.

Dean up the mast

It did not work, so we are back to the debate on if we really need to pull the mast - do we really need to change the VHF/AIS antenna?  Do we really need better cell reception?    By the way - we both know we will pull the mast and do the work - just trying to not admit that we will spend the $700 to do it, as we will be depressed about the money.  Making the decision we know we will make last minute avoids all the up front depression about the money.

We also gave each other much needed haircuts, and I went for a nice kayak.   Not much to see, but good exercise.   Did see hurricane Dorian damage still quite visible.

Big boat up on shore with damage

Only a day or so at Tilloo, and then up to Hope Town, on Elbow Cay.   Hope Town is a cute little town, Seems most the homes are rental cottages, so they do a bit of tourist trade.  Still a pretty walk.

Lots of narrow golf cart streets in Hope Town

Hope Town has a protected bay.  You can see the lighthouse in the background

Tourist cottage railing.  

Lignum Vitae tree.  National Tree of the Bahamas

The Lignum Vitae tree (Means tree of life),   From the Bahamas government internet site:

The extremely hard and heavy self-lubricating wood is especially adapted for bearings or bushings of propeller shafts on steamships, and also serves for bearings in steel mills, for bowling balls, and pulleys. For many years, dating back to World War II, shipments of the wood were made from The Bahamas to the United Kingdom and the United States by the old New Providence firm of Duncombe and Butler.

 Apart from its industrial uses, the bark of the tree is used for medicinal purposes, and many Bahamians throughout the islands steep the bark and drink it as a tonic for creating energy as an aphrodisiac.

Lots of "fatter" anoles on Hope Town.  I believe this is a Bark Anole

We also went out for a nice lunch while at Hope Town. We were lucky and friends on Kairos (Kirk and Cindy), who we met briefly while in Rock Sound happened into the restaurant, and joined us for lunch. Made lunch much more enjoyable to be able to visit with them.

  Got a kick out out of the menu at Cap'n Jacks restaurant where we at.   Great cheeseburgers as well.

Obviously have kids.  Reminded me of Derek when he was younger.
Closed for 2 years after Hurricane Dorian, but now open.

At Hope Town we also went and toured the lighthouse.  

"The Elbow Reef Lighthouse has remained active. It is the only manned lightstation in the world which has not been electrified. Its lens is hand-wound by a keeper and it is fueled by kerosene. It remains a time capsule of 1800s British engineering."

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Not super tall lighthouse, but higher than everything around it.

Taking the stairs to the top

View from the top looking ESE

Door to get in and out of walkway around lighthouse is a bit small

Could not go up to the lens area, but can see it.

Well maintained gearing

We had thought about jumping in the water at Hope Town and doing a bottom cleaning in preparation for the 3 plus day trip north, but we had lots of jellyfish around the boat, so decided not.  First time we have seen lots of jellies this year.

Had a very active thunderstorm on the morning of the 4th, around 5:00 a.m., which got us up early.  Seas got lumpy as well, so we decided it was time to move, and sailed over to Marsh Harbor, which has a very protected anchorage and more importantly - large, nice grocery store - Maxwells.

While at Marsh Harbor, we met a boat that unfortunately was hit by lightening during the storm.  Lost all navigation - autopilot, depth, wind speed, vhf, ais, as well as engine controls, but luckily can still start, stop and run the engines.   Since we had replaced our depth recently, we were able to loan them our old depth instrument, which luckily will work with their depth transducer.

Nice sunrise at Hope Town

The weather is a bit off right now, with a large low pressure causing west winds, which is not common, but does give a chance to explore anchorages that otherwise would be dangerous.  After getting groceries and 30 gallons of diesel (ouch - $7.24 per gallon) we headed north for the predicted SW to W winds.   Got NW instead, so moved again up to Treasure Cay.   Nice protection and good holding here, and will most likely stay until the winds clock from West to North, and then back to south, at which time we will check out at Green Turtle Cay, and start the trip north.

Plan on heading straight to Beaufort, NC - a trip of about 80 hours depending on wind.