3.20/Friday Fresh Creek to Highborne Cay
Check out the Picasa Album for Highborne Cay photos.
3.21/Saturday Highborne Cay
We heard Larry calling George at 5:15 am because Steve had forgotten to turn off the radio. I was so glad I could turn over and “try” to sleep instead of get up and head south. They departed at 5: 30 am for the fifty mile trip to Big Majors. We waited until 10:30 am, and then motored into the marina, stopping first at the fuel dock for a top off, and then moving into our slip.
We checked in at the marine office and I checked out the marine gift shop and grocery store. We walked around the beach area and talked about what we wanted to do during the day.
Another way to arrive at Highborne Cay Marina.
Tomahawk/Annapolis-Tommy, Diane, and Cameron
When I laid my head down and listened to the wind howl through the riggings on the boat, I was grateful to be in a secure slip, protected by the island. We made a good decision to spend some time on this island even though it was very expensive.
3.22/Sunday Highborne Cay
With Nassau such a short distance from Highborne Cay, mega yachts have found this marina to be very convenient and accommodating. One in particular we faced, sitting in the cockpit of Little Wing. It was over 100 feet and had at least five deck hands. We found out it was Rick Hendricks’s yacht, with his mother and other members of his family vacationing on it. The name of the yacht is, Wheels, and the name of his fishing boat is, Reel Wheels.
Steve unloaded the bikes and we took off on a trip exploring the island after lunch. The exercise was great and the beaches and scenery was spectacular. Check out my photos. We found a great beach that had tons of small conchs that had been harvested, which meant we could keep
them.
Our lunch guest in the cockpit of the boat.
Three-and-a half year old climbing on the mask in 10 knot winds. He has been sailing on the catamaran since he was 10 months old.
Check out the Picasa Album for Highborne Cay photos.
http://webmail2.centurytel.net/hwebmail/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Flh%2Fsredir%3Funame%3Djudymtedford%26target%3DALBUM%26id%3D5319157782911925889%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCKq93KzticHUXA%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCKq93KzticHUXA%26feat%3Demail
A strong cold front was approaching the area with 30-35 knot winds predicted late Saturday and Sunday. Larry suggested sailing to Highborne Cay, anchoring there for the night in a protected area, and moving Saturday to Big Majors, which had an anchorage that would be protected from the 30-35 knot easterly winds.
By 7:30 am we were headed out the channel bouncing over huge waves caused by coral reefs. Some of the waves were 6 footers that would almost stop the boat, even though we were motoring at 2200 RPMs. Our course was 90 degrees NE with winds 10-15 knot winds.
We motor sailed all day with the winds dying down to 5-10 knots. Again we were in the ink blue Tongue of the Ocean with water depths over 2000 feet. Along the way, Steve and I had several conversations about where to ride out the approaching high winds. I finally told Steve I wanted to go into the marina at Highborne Cay so I would be assured that we would be safe. I remember Green Turtle Cay last year and the horrible night we spent in 30-35 knot winds. I did not want that experience again. Steve concurred and we radioed Highborne Cay Marina to reserve a slip. Once we knew we had a slip, Steve radioed the two other boats to let them know our plans. Because marinas fill up during these weather situations, we wanted to give them time to decide if they wanted to go into the marina also.
As we approached Highborne Cay, the water began to change to a beautiful turquoise and lighter shades of blue depending on the water depths. Steve looked at me and said, “we are now in the Exuma Cays.” We found anchorages close to the shoreline in the lee of the island. There were many other sailboats and several 100 foot plus yachts anchorage in the area. Check out “Battered Bull.” We watched two of the passengers as they worked out on a tread mill, lifted free weights, and did other exercises on the bow of the yacht. Wonder who they were! At night the yacht looked like a small city with all the lights on.
The other two boats, Cygnus and Sunseeker, decided to move further south in the morning to Big Majors. The weather forecast had moved up the arrival of the high winds to late Saturday afternoon, so they decided to depart at 5:30 am in order to make Big Majors. Steve was glad that we did not have to out run the weather and glad that we were staying in Highborne Cay. We had heard from Larry and Carol/Cygnus the marina was pricey and the people were unfriendly continue, but I was willing to spend a little extra money for a sense of security from the high winds. The night was very “rolly” from side to side due to the current flowing in the area and the winds. I felt like a scrambled egg in a frying pan most of the night. You could hear the wind howling through the shrouds all night; I kept thinking how glad I would be in the morning when we could move into a slip.
A strong cold front was approaching the area with 30-35 knot winds predicted late Saturday and Sunday. Larry suggested sailing to Highborne Cay, anchoring there for the night in a protected area, and moving Saturday to Big Majors, which had an anchorage that would be protected from the 30-35 knot easterly winds.
By 7:30 am we were headed out the channel bouncing over huge waves caused by coral reefs. Some of the waves were 6 footers that would almost stop the boat, even though we were motoring at 2200 RPMs. Our course was 90 degrees NE with winds 10-15 knot winds.
We motor sailed all day with the winds dying down to 5-10 knots. Again we were in the ink blue Tongue of the Ocean with water depths over 2000 feet. Along the way, Steve and I had several conversations about where to ride out the approaching high winds. I finally told Steve I wanted to go into the marina at Highborne Cay so I would be assured that we would be safe. I remember Green Turtle Cay last year and the horrible night we spent in 30-35 knot winds. I did not want that experience again. Steve concurred and we radioed Highborne Cay Marina to reserve a slip. Once we knew we had a slip, Steve radioed the two other boats to let them know our plans. Because marinas fill up during these weather situations, we wanted to give them time to decide if they wanted to go into the marina also.
As we approached Highborne Cay, the water began to change to a beautiful turquoise and lighter shades of blue depending on the water depths. Steve looked at me and said, “we are now in the Exuma Cays.” We found anchorages close to the shoreline in the lee of the island. There were many other sailboats and several 100 foot plus yachts anchorage in the area. Check out “Battered Bull.” We watched two of the passengers as they worked out on a tread mill, lifted free weights, and did other exercises on the bow of the yacht. Wonder who they were! At night the yacht looked like a small city with all the lights on.
The other two boats, Cygnus and Sunseeker, decided to move further south in the morning to Big Majors. The weather forecast had moved up the arrival of the high winds to late Saturday afternoon, so they decided to depart at 5:30 am in order to make Big Majors. Steve was glad that we did not have to out run the weather and glad that we were staying in Highborne Cay. We had heard from Larry and Carol/Cygnus the marina was pricey and the people were unfriendly continue, but I was willing to spend a little extra money for a sense of security from the high winds. The night was very “rolly” from side to side due to the current flowing in the area and the winds. I felt like a scrambled egg in a frying pan most of the night. You could hear the wind howling through the shrouds all night; I kept thinking how glad I would be in the morning when we could move into a slip.
3.21/Saturday Highborne Cay
We heard Larry calling George at 5:15 am because Steve had forgotten to turn off the radio. I was so glad I could turn over and “try” to sleep instead of get up and head south. They departed at 5: 30 am for the fifty mile trip to Big Majors. We waited until 10:30 am, and then motored into the marina, stopping first at the fuel dock for a top off, and then moving into our slip.
We checked in at the marine office and I checked out the marine gift shop and grocery store. We walked around the beach area and talked about what we wanted to do during the day.Another way to arrive at Highborne Cay Marina.Highborne Cay is 35 miles southeast of Nassau and is the most northerly inhabited island in the Exuma Chain. It is a private island with limited privileges extended to boaters who say in the marina. The island is 3 miles long with only nine residences, three of which can be rented. Presently, several hill side homes are under construction. Eight beaches surround the island with the east beach regarded as one of the most beautiful and pristine beach in the Bahamas. After lunch we made plans to walk over the hill to see for ourselves.
We met our neighbors in the marina; sailing vessel, Gigi’s Island, owner Giget and friend Vic, who were a wealth of information about the Exumas. We also met Joel, who owns Cool Runners Catering Service, dockside as he was going from boat to boat inviting everyone for a Saturday night all-you-can-eat dinner. ($35 a person) We decided to attend. Showers delayed the dinner and forced some twenty-five of us under a tiny cabana for a short time. We enjoyed meeting boaters from Annapolis, Texas, North Carolina and sharing our experiences.
We met our neighbors in the marina; sailing vessel, Gigi’s Island, owner Giget and friend Vic, who were a wealth of information about the Exumas. We also met Joel, who owns Cool Runners Catering Service, dockside as he was going from boat to boat inviting everyone for a Saturday night all-you-can-eat dinner. ($35 a person) We decided to attend. Showers delayed the dinner and forced some twenty-five of us under a tiny cabana for a short time. We enjoyed meeting boaters from Annapolis, Texas, North Carolina and sharing our experiences.
Tomahawk/Annapolis-Tommy, Diane, and CameronWhen I laid my head down and listened to the wind howl through the riggings on the boat, I was grateful to be in a secure slip, protected by the island. We made a good decision to spend some time on this island even though it was very expensive.
3.22/Sunday Highborne Cay
With Nassau such a short distance from Highborne Cay, mega yachts have found this marina to be very convenient and accommodating. One in particular we faced, sitting in the cockpit of Little Wing. It was over 100 feet and had at least five deck hands. We found out it was Rick Hendricks’s yacht, with his mother and other members of his family vacationing on it. The name of the yacht is, Wheels, and the name of his fishing boat is, Reel Wheels.
Steve unloaded the bikes and we took off on a trip exploring the island after lunch. The exercise was great and the beaches and scenery was spectacular. Check out my photos. We found a great beach that had tons of small conchs that had been harvested, which meant we could keep
them. Our lunch guest in the cockpit of the boat.We meet a cute couple on the docks yesterday when Julie asked me to take a picture of them. I then asked if she would take our picture. We stood around talking and found out they had the small catamaran anchored close to the marina. 
They would dinghy in so their three and a half year old son, Glenn, and Gabe their labadore retriever could play on the beach. We walked to Little Wing where Steve and Dan looked over the charts and Julie used the Skype to get in touch with her family. They invited us to dinghy over to their boat later that evening for dinner, hitching a ride with Giget and Vic/Gigi’s Island since they had their dinghy in the water. Dan and Julie have been spending the month of March in the Bahamas each year and had a wealth of information to share with us.
They would dinghy in so their three and a half year old son, Glenn, and Gabe their labadore retriever could play on the beach. We walked to Little Wing where Steve and Dan looked over the charts and Julie used the Skype to get in touch with her family. They invited us to dinghy over to their boat later that evening for dinner, hitching a ride with Giget and Vic/Gigi’s Island since they had their dinghy in the water. Dan and Julie have been spending the month of March in the Bahamas each year and had a wealth of information to share with us. We hope to stay in touch with
them and hope they will visit us in Gulf Shores.
Three-and-a half year old climbing on the mask in 10 knot winds. He has been sailing on the catamaran since he was 10 months old.
Nurse shark over 6 feet long waiting for dinner.
1 comment:
Little Wing, Sorry we missed you here at our home on Highbourne Cay. We are from Mobile but spend the majority of our time here on our 48' Hatteras LRC. My husband owned McCoy Outdoor in Mobile before we retired 8 years ago. Hope you found the Cay to be friendly as you had been told otherwise before visiting here. The friendliness as well as the obvious (THE EXUMAS!!!) have a hold on us here. Please come back!!! There are several boats from our area here. PROUD MARY from Orange Beach and Fairhope stay here during the winter months!
Sara McCoy
M/V ARASAY
Post a Comment