Stuck in Allans-Pensacola

[mixman]

It could be worse. At least we have protection from the winds. Internet access is only at GSM speeds, so I can check weather, send and receive e-mail, and do some light web browsing. But I can't remote control my office enough to work today. Boo hoo!

Here's some pics.

And from the Lucayan Water Way..

Hey! Let's build a big condo building that doesn't have any beach access. Do you think they'll sell?

It rather reminded me of Beirut. However, the Sea of Abaco sure was nice and calm. That made for a nice 70+ mile trip for the day.

 

[boatbum]

As Pascal told me in Bimini.

"There's worse places to be stuck."

 

[Capt. Bill1]

What's the name on that Marlow?

 

[mixman]

We made it to Green Turtle today. Tomorrow, I'm going to the Wrecking Tree for some good cracked conch.

Sorry Bill, they took off before we got our dink luanched.

 

[Capt. Bill1]

Thanks, enjoy.

 

[rnbenton]

Great photos, Kurt.

How long are you going to be over there? I am still planning a mid June departure.

Bob

 

[mixman]

We did some snorkeling today. I'm sure many of you have seen such sights before, but for someone who mainly boats in the murky Chesapeake, this is a real treat.

 

[boatbum]

Good Photos! Where were you?

 

[mixman]

I'm going to have to rename this thread as this is far from "stuck" anywhere

We're still in Hope Town, Dan. I'm not sure if I'm every going to be able to leave! We went with Froggies today on a half-day trip to Fowl Cay. Then, we got treated to the lighting of the lighthouse (from the inside at the top). Click the image below for the video:

 

[boatbum]

That's how many feel about Elbow Cay. Including us! Walk South on the Beach to "On Da Beach" for a sandwich etc.. Wednesday is chicken day I think. By the way like others I think they will come and pick you up at the dock.

And try to leave time for a run to Little Harbour! Stop at Sandy Cay and tie up to a mooring ball and snorkle it if the water is calm enough.

 

[mixman]

Dang, what the heck is it with the north winds? We're supposed to be back in FL middle of this week and the crossings don't look good. We're at Orchid Bay on Great Guana for the night (lunch at Grabber's, dinner at Nipper's). Then we're going to make a run for it to Lucaya or Freeport. I want to be somewhere that isn't as expensive as Old Bahama Bay as I think we're going to have a few days to wait it out. I'm thinking about Sunrise Resort & Marina. $1/ft and even cheaper should we get really stuck and have to fly home for a few weeks. Dan, any comments or suggestions?

 

[boatbum]

Ugh. We stayed at Grand Bahama and were supposed to get a break for the Yacht Club (RMHYC) but did not. We drove around Freeport and Lucaya and there were some places that looked cheap but security might be an issue. What we saw was to the West of Lucaya and this place you are considering is East of GBYC. From Google Earth it appears in a residential area. I would ask if they have a gate with a guard but they might say yes just to hook you. I know GBYC to the East of the inlet, not the West where the Port is, is cheaper than the Port of Lucaya area.
Perhaps you can swing a no water deal and power is metered? If you get hunkered down inside on the middle dock there, it's relatively protected. Regardless of where you stay if you can make sure you fend well and have lines to hold you off the docks if you have to leave the boat.
The other good thing about GBYC is their pool and access to the port via their free water taxi. Sabor for lunch without question. There is a pretty cheap car rental at KSR as I recall (s/b on the web).
I wish I could comment on the other places, but from experience and what we saw GBYC was good and reasonable. Take a right after coming into the Port inlet and pull up at their inoperative fuel dock to make arrangements.
The thing about Lucaya that is good is that the water tends to lay down more running to Ft. Lauderdale than it does to West End. Watching Passageweather.com should convince you.

Look at it this way, the North Winds are keeping the oil away. God help Bimini if that crap hits the stream. That place needs all the help it can get and this is not the sort of help they need now!!

 

[mixman]

Hmmm. In their ad in Explorer Charts, Sunrise claims 24-hour security and floating docks. We're also RMHYC members (what a deal that is), so we can check out GBYC if need be. I know where it is. It's owned by the same company as Port Lucaya Marina. That place was run well, but I only felt safe there due to being armed better than the Defense Force!

The winds seem to be shifting a bit to the west. We might make it home this coming weekend...

 

[Silver Lining]

Hey Kurt, how about staying at the Port Lucaya Marina. They are well situated and we never had any security issues there. Although I understand the hotel is currently closed and perhaps the pool is closed as well? If there is an alternative marina to Port Lucaya Marina that is not too far from the town square I would be interested as we will be heading to Lucaya in a few weeks.

Also, how is Orchid Bay compared to Treasure Cay. Toward the end of our stay we will have few days to spend on one of the two islands. Either way we always go to Nippers and Grabbers for a few day trips.

-Rick

Viking Sport Cruiser 50 FY
"Silver Lining"

 

[mixman]

Rick,

We spent a night at PLM. They have a nice location. But if we had to leave the boat for a time, their $1.70/ft isn't as attractive as $1/ft. I hear the yacht club is nice too (same company owns both). But location isn't quite as good. You're probably better off sticking with PLM.

Orchid Bay is nice. But I think I prefer Treasure. Much better supplies should you need something, and it's easier to swim off that beach on the big island than on Guana. But you're right, Nippers and Grabbers are here. We had dinner at Pirate Cove last night and I'd recommend that place. Jerry is a good host, and the food was quite good and reasonable (it's the little outside bar at the road that goes to Nippers).

 

[boatbum]

I know we would prefer Orchid over Treasure. While Treasure has a calm protected beach for the most part, and the marina is well protected vs. Orchid, Guana Cay has more to offer. If you need supplies a ferry ride to Marsh Harbour will take care of that. The store on Guana was better stocked this Winter than last year.
The pool and pool bar at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club were open when we were there in April and they have a small ferry boat to PLM that runs pretty much on demand.