Trader's 2005-2006 Cruise - The Bahamas

We left Ft Lauderdale at 2 AM and crossed to Old Bahama Bay marina, West End, Grand Bahama Island under nearly perfect conditions. It was St. Patricks Day and we arrived in time for the

Sunrise - Trader crossing to the Bahamas

afternoon party at the Tiki Bar. The next day we rented a car and toured Freeport, then returned to Old Bahama Bay in time to use the pool. We also stopped at a small bakery in the settlement and got our first introduction to the Bahamian breads that we enjoyed thoughout our visit.

Using the Cruising Guide by Steve Dodge and his GPS waypoints, we successfully navigated Indian Cay passage. Indian Cay passage is 6-8 feet deep, flanked by shallows and was a real adventure with Trader's 5.5 foot draft. We spent that night at Great Sail Cay where there is nothing and then went on to Crabby Cay, a sheltered harbor but nothing there either and then went to Green Turtle Cay. We spent almost a week there, enjoying the pool and beach. We even rented a golf cart and toured the settlement at New Plymouth, our first real exposure to a Bahamian village.

Beach at Green Turtle

White Sound Harbor - Green Turtle Cay

Trader in Hopetown Harbor

We then went to Guana Cay, Hopetown on Elbow Cay, Marsh Harbor, Man O War Cay and Treasure Cay. Hopetown was one of our favorites with nice beaches, a lighthouse to climb, an interesting settlement and a pool at the Inn. I

We spent a week at Man O War Cay, staying at the cottage owned by our friends Neil and Pam Herring with our friends Eldon and Dianne Morrison who flew down to join us. Man O War is another very interesting island. There are approximately 250 residents, 240 of which are related. We toured the Albury Brothers boatbuilding operation and sampled some of Lola's cinnamon rolls.

We also spent a week at Treasure Cay which has a magnificent beach. Unfortunately a front went through and we spent several days on the boat waiting for it to pass. It was a nice spot with a good pool and a reasonable grocery store.

Canvas Shop - Man-O-War

Our time in the Bahamas was all too short and we returned to Florida on April 26 via West End. Our sail from West End to Fort Pierce is one we will always remember as everything was right. We traveled over 81 miles in less than 11 hours mostly under sail. We had the Gulf Stream with us, the wind southwest producing a nice reach and the swells running with us. We also hit the current right going into Fort Pierce. To top it off the folks at the marina were wonderful, even loaning us a car to go to the airport to clear with immigration.

Roadway on Man-O-War

Signpost - Elbow Cay