Grand Cay ...

 

 

 

 

We left Treasure Cay early one morning, went through Don't Rock passage and then hoisted the sails for a tacking battle up the Sea of Abaco.  After a busy sailing day we found shelter from the winds at Allan's Pensacola.

 

The next day was another early start.  The northwest winds were still unabated and we made great time headed toward Grand Cay.  That is, until we made a final turn toward the north and west to get to Grand.  The slower speeds, however, enabled us to do some fishing and I was able to catch a big fat mutton snapper.  Though only 28" long, the fat guy would allow us to enjoy several great meals.

 

It was our first trip to Grand Cay - and it will not be the last.  The small community boasted many nice colorful homes all well maintained.  Walking along the single lane golf cart sized street through town everyone we passed - adults and children - said hello. 

 

The marina bustled with tourist traffic.  As many power boaters appear to come over from central Florida for a day or two clear into the Bahamas and then fish before returning to the US.  We met one such group at Rosie's Restaurant  where we had dinner.  The group of 5 guys came over from the US., cleared in and spent the balance of the day fishing.  For the day they caught several mahi and a 110 lb tuna.  One of the mahi Rosie's kitchen had cooked up for dinner and they shared some of their catch with us.  I tell you there is nothing quite like fish dinner when the fish has been pulled from the ocean about 3 hours beforehand.  The group would spend the night in hotel rooms on Grand and then return to the US the next day.  They'd fish while in route. 

 

Our plan was similar.  Only being in a sail boat our time at sea would be considerably longer.  Also, our destination would not be central Florida but one big hop to northern Florida.  We left Grand the following afternoon hoping for light winds.  They were light.  Very light.  Too light and we eventually forgot about the sails and motored our way back towards Florida.  The nice thing about no wind is that the ocean was still.  At one point it was so calm there were no ripples on the water at all.  The Captain took this opportunity for one last attempt at fishing and caught a really nice 46" mahi for his efforts.  Gotta love it!

With the slow going we would be at sea 42 hours before our arrival back in Florida.  It was another great winter season, but the weather is warming and its time to head back to the midwest.

The Admiral