Tuesday April 4, 2016 Great Bahama Banks
SYL and Jumanji left Bimini at first light yesterday, Monday the 4th. We did not stop on the banks overnight for two reasons: 1. Waves were higher than expected so overnighting in the open water was not appealing. 2. We made such good travel time it was possible to anchor in Chubs Cay – Berry Islands (another 15 miles or so) before dark.
This was a record setting Banks crossing. With current against us the entire time we averaged almost 8 knots over water for this 100 mile sun up to sundown day. We left at 7AM and planted our anchor at 7:30PM! So far on this trip all weather reports should have been bumped by a factor of at least 1.5. If they said winds were 10, they were 15 or better. The sailing was great yesterday with waves off our port bow, we could roll them nicely but it was indeed another “man sailing” day ….. quite brisk. I found a perfect sail set that made the boat drive through the waves sweetly. I travelled down to put all the main sheet lift on the leeward hull. That made the side to side motion less active. Travelling down also opens the boom so the sail is powerful over the big waves all the way to the foot.
SYL.. Rusty