May 7-8 Nassau

We were up at the crack of 7AM this morning.  It took me awhile to disconnect all the dockside electrical connections and start up all the electronics.  But it gave Mary enough time to wake up and drink some coffee. 

Calm morning for our departure

Jeff and Judy took care of our lines and we eased out of the dock, made a 90 degree pivot and off we went.

The navigation software is still a little funky. It doesn't update very quickly and I think its because of the charts (C-Map) we are using.  Anyway we are headed in the right direction so no worries.  We were actually following a boat that had left the marina s short while before us.

Leaving Chub Cay behind

Since the water was looking suspicious at the dock last night I chose to start the generator and make water as we ran towards Nassau.  Only took a few hours and Mary did a few loads of laundry on the way.

The protocol for entering Nassau Harbor requires that all vessels, even little cruising boats like ours, call Harbor Control to ask permission to enter the harbor.

Mary called the on the VHF radio and they asked for destination, documentation number and last port of call.  Took all of a minute when we heard “permission granted”.

Nassau Harbor

The harbor is a busy commercial port.  And cruise ship port.  We passed two of the behemoths in their berths as we made our way into the harbor. 

We both wanted to fuel up before we got into the marina so I called the Hurricane Hole Marina fuel dock which is located between the 2 bridges and identified by the bright red awning covering the office.  The actual marina itself is set back into a basin on Paradise Island.

Passing by Atlantis

The two bridges connect Nassau with Paradise Island where large resort, Atlantis is located.  

Atlantis is quite the sprawling entity.  We could tie up there for $4.75/foot.  What a bargain.  Where only playing $2.15/foot at the Nassau Yacht Haven marina.

There is swift current running through Nassau Harbor during certain times of the day.  It follows the tide and can be pretty daunting.  And since we never seem to do things easily, this was one of those times.  But luckily the current was running towards us which makes maneuvering the boat much easier compared to have the current push you along.

The fuel dock was rather small and we took up all most the whole dock.  Jeff had to nuzzle up to the side dock after we figured out he wouldn't fit next to us.

We filled up with 208 gallons of diesel.  That’s how much we used coming from Marathon to Nassau including the generator run time.  Not to bad for a big boat.  The price was $4.18 / gal but for around here that’s not too terrible.  We’ll have enough fuel to get well down the Exumas chain and return to Ft. Lauderdale without a problem.

Yacht Haven Marina

One we were finished fueling we headed over to the Yacht Haven Dock.  Luckily they had a spot for us where we could tie alongside.  We needed this arrangement so we could lower the dinghy and see if my fix actually fixed it.  I’m not holding out much hope but I’d have to get it down anyway to have it repaired.

I was backing into this spot right behind Lady Sandals

The only trouble was the dock space they wanted us to use.  It was on the mega yacht dock and we would be backing into spot right in front of a huge yacht, Lady Sandals.   With all these mega yachts surrounding us we were like the proverbial flea on an elephants back.

It was only mildly exciting and we did fine and the deck hand was a very good.  Backing that far down to a dock where a many million dollar yacht sat created a bit of suspense but it worked out fine.  Guess we now have a new skill.

But the other issue was location.  We were right next to the commercial docks and a waterway used by many of the tour boats and fishing charters.  That translates into a wonderful mix of boat wakes.  The mega yachts don’t even move with such trivial, to them, wakes.  But we’re tiny and rock and roll with gusto.  At least the wakes die down at night or so Obie, the dock hand told us.

We are adjacent to one of the commercial docks

After spending an hour getting the lines setup and fenders deployed we headed to the marina office to do the paperwork.  Then we met Jeff & Judy up at the Poop Deck, a notorious bar and restaurant for drinks.

Walking to the marina office

It’s an interesting place with many photographs of celebrities and of English warships.  And a lively clientele.  We talked with several people, expats I guess, who knew all kinds of details about the area. 

The Poop Deck

One, Richard a Canadian, mentioned a marina on the east end of the island, Palm Cay Marina.  He described it as being a phenomenal place.  And cheap.  So we may have to try that on the return journey.

We lingered for a while but elected not to eat dinner there and instead went back to the boat.

Mary decided she wanted to wash the boat down and asked one of the deck hands from Lady Sandals behind us if we could use their hose.  He said sure and Mary started washing but the weak steam of the water was a bit disappointing.  Meanwhile Josh and his girlfriend who worked on Lady Sandals as well, shared some information about the area and the marina.  His opinion was not to use dock water without a filter.  And for a lively time and good food, walk down a few blocks to  Potters Cay where all the small little structures are located.  It’s like a little flea market and food/bar court with live music.

But we have been warned repeatedly not to venture off the marina grounds after sunset because crime here is rampant.  We’ll have to see.

Joel also mentioned Lady Sandals is owned by the guy who owns the Sandalwood resorts/hotels.    Guess we’re in the high rent district for a time.  Here's a Facebook page describing the boat 

Mary finished the wash down and we put everything back and ate aboard before turning in early.  I had the A/C units running so it was nice and cool inside the cabin.

Jeff and I went to the Yamaha dealer this morning.  He, to check on his new 2-stroke Yamaha 15hp and  me to inquire about repairing the dinghy outboard.  His motor will be in around Tuesday and my outboard will be hopefully repaired when they haul it out on Monday.  So it seems we are closing in

Yamaha Dealer and marine store

on a departure of next Wednesday.  Far longer than we wanted to be here, but at least in our case it’s a better alternative to stay here for repairs than being stranded on one of those outer islands which are really in the middle of nowhere.

Street side of the marina office and Poop deck next door

After we returned we all met at the marina office where Jeff and Judy met Dyson a computer guy who was willing to try and fix Jeff’s laptop.  Dyson's 41 and is easing himself out of the IT career because he's grown tired of it.  That's the reason he gives for working at the marina now and only dabbling with computers occasionally.

Following our guide to the grocery store, about 1/2 mile away

We then headed off to the grocery store but bumped into a guy who said we should go to the mall up the street because it was a shorter walk.  So we followed him and found a Publix like grocery store, Solomon’s Fresh foods. 

Our guide in the green shirt

It had pretty much everything you’d normally expect in a grocery store.  Great place, and hugely expensive.  And I mean really expensive.

Truly just as well stocked as a typical Publix 

No car so we haul our purchases back

I ducked into the liquor store across the way and discovered they were out of Captain Morgan rum.  And they also carried no Seltzer water.  I’ll have to try the other grocery store and see if they carry it.

We returned and hung around the boat.  I did go out briefly to verify where I have to drive the dinghy Monday morning at 8:30 so they can lift it out to figure out what needs repairing.  Jeff and I cant figure it out so I guess we need the professionals,

Later I wondered over to Jeff’s boat while Dyson was there and we had a joint effort trying to get Jeff’s laptop talking to his Bluetooth Bose speaker.  No joy though.

We had dinner on board, and then I walked to the showers and had a most interesting conversation with one of the guys off a schooner that’s tied up near us, Liberty Clipper.  He was a young guy an wanted to travel so he hooked up to crew on this large wooden schooner which does charters and here in the Bahamas and Boston during the summers.  Great to hear how adventurous he was and how he wanted to travel, not worrying so much about monetary issues.