April, 2001 : Time in the Abacos

Treasure Cay, ideallic

Treasure Cay is another incredible 5 mile beach. Normally we would anchor around the other side where the marina is, but with the light winds forecasted for the night, I decided to take the chance and anchor right off the beach so we could just swim off the boat.

It worked out allright, but because the anchorage is open to the swells from the sea, it could have been dangerous if the swells had built up overnite. Trick is to always have a back-up plan and have an exit route already planned in case the worst happens. In this case, it would have taken about 15 minutes of motoring to get to shelter, so minimal risk.

We went to the marina side a few days later to hide from a cold front which gave us rain and 20-25 knots winds from the north and a couple of impressive thunderstorms. Fortunately just when the thunderstorms passed over us at 2 o'clock in the morning, the lightning stopped long enough for them to pass us. Don't know why, but I wasn't disappointed !
There is more interesting info at www.treasurecay.com

Calling Terra Nostra - the cruiser hot line

Definitely, one of cruising's welcome suprises is the sense of community and support amongst cruisers. Even though most boats go their own way, it's a small community, and you will cross paths with other boats all the time. While anchored, we tried to radio TerraNostra who should have arrived in Marsh Harbour, about 15 miles south, within reach of our VHF. But after trying multiple times, we had no luck. But Vent d'Anges, who was also anchored in Treasure Cay, and who had organized the Christmas Party in Nassau in December, heard us and volunteered to radio a friend's boat in Marsh Harbour to look for Terra Nostra !

Within 15 minutes, we had confirmation that Suzanne and Daniel had arrived, were anchored in Marsh Harbour and were getting ready to meet us.

Within another 15 minutes, Vent d'Anges was at the boat to help us fix our VHF Radio problem. Turns out my antenna on top of the mast was missing (?). When I got it fixed, I had my full range again. Everywhere we have been cruising, there is always someone that can help, or someone in need of help to return the favor.

In the Abaco's at 8:00 AM every morning, is the Cruiser's Net on the VHF Radio. You get the weather, the stock market results (I am not kidding), the day's major issues (how a hurt pelican is doing), the day's best shopping deals, the day's events and parties, and then a free discussion where new boats introduce themselves, departing boats say their goodbyes, and cruisers ask for help on just about anything ! We never missed it.

There is interesting cruising info at Guide to the Abacos.