On Monday the 19th of May 2014 at 8:00 am six boats from the Cape Coral Cruise Club set out on an adventure to the Out Islands of the Bahamas particularly on this trip, the Exumas. Those traveling are as follows: Len and Sharon Palmisano on “Sharon Ann” with guests, Greg and Bev; Kenneth and Sandra Starnes on “Pop’s Place”; Phil and Lyn Quick on “Sunkissed”; Rich and Robyn McGloin on “Robyn M”; Phil and Pat Kryger on ”Y Knot”; with Gary and Kathy Taake on “Happy Ours”. We all met at marker 92 off Tarpon Point Marina to head south for the beginning of our three week journey. Weather forecast was 10-15 knot winds with gusts up to 20 out of the east, so our “unofficial leaders”, Len and Sharon, led us down the Gulf of Mexico hugging the shore to give us a nice smooth ride to Marathon Key.
Thank the boat gods as the wind stayed out of the east. Well, there isn’t much close shore after Cape Sable, so it got-bouncy halfway down and continued choppy until we reached Marathon. Sunkissed and Pop’s Place had to go an extra few miles to get to the center span of the seven mile bridge giving us the proper height clearance. We arrived at the Marathon Marina fuel dock at 3:15 pm, adding 115 miles to our log. After fueling up we left at 3:40, to head up to Hawk’s Cay Resort and Marina. As expected the winds were due east, and all headed straight into the thumpers, three to four footers with an occasional five or six thrown in. Finally at 5:00 pm we arrived at our first destination “Hawk’s Cay” adding 28 more miles to our log.
It was pretty unanimous everyone wanted to stay an extra day to relax and Anticipate smaller seas for the crossing to the Bahamas. Most of us relaxed poolside while others did their own thing just chilling out. On Wednesday, May 21, we left Marathon at 8:00 am pushing into choppy seas, however, not as bad as Monday, but still slowed us down pretty well. At 1:00 pm we arrived at Miami fuel docks and at 1:45 we all docked at the Miamarina city docks. Everyone got their hoses out for our first fresh water wash down. At 6:30 that evening we had a group dinner at Bubba Gumps restaurant, then strolled the promenade and window shopped amongst the many stores.
The next day, Thursday May 21, the seas had laid down and were fairly small all the way across the Gulf Stream, putting us at Chub Cay at 1:30pm, adding 124 nautical miles. Chub Cay is a beautiful island. On the mend, we were told, with new owners spending millions of dollars, with floating concrete docks and a new clubhouse being built. There is a very nice infinity edge pool spilling into the crystal blue waters. Everyone showed up poolside for happy hour and to watch a phenomenal sunset.
Sunkissed was the only boat to buy fuel at Chub Cay, the owner concerned she would not have sufficient fuel on board to make it to Nassau, our next stop. With a low, low price of $6.80 per gallon, we only took on 100 gallons. After a leisurely Friday morning breakfast on we headed out at 9:40 am to beautifully calm seas on our way to Nassau. We entered the harbor at 11:40 am putting an additional 37.2 nautical miles under our boat, having taken in many sites along the way. After fueling up at a reasonable $5.42 per gallon, we tied up for our last wash down for a while. The girls went grocery shopping for some needed supplies while the guys did their chores and had a drink or three. At 2:45 pm, a very anxious Kenneth met his bride who flew in from Arkansas to be his first mate for the duration of the trip. Some stayed on board and cooked their own dinner while the Quicks, Taakes, McGloins and Krygers went to the Poop Deck restaurant for a very good meal.
On Saturday, May 24 at 10:00 am we left Nassau for the beautiful Warderick Wells Land and Sea Park, arriving at 1:10 pm. WOW, Tahiti, all over again. The hues of blue were mind blowing, the sand white and fine. We were moored here for 2 nights with everyone using their dinghies to do some swimming and snorkeling along with some exploring. Later in the day Bob and Bonnie Martin on “Bonaventure” caught up with us after having some problems with their boat. Also on board were Ron and Wendy, their daughter and son in law. They came just in time for Happy Hour on the beach. Everyone retired to their boats for dinner and relaxation. The next morning, Sunday, May 25, we awoke again to the beauty of Mother Nature. Everyone was doing their own thing, snorkeling, swimming or putting around in their dinks, crisscrossing each other. Gen sets ran day and night for all the comforts of home.
The next morning, Monday, May 26, at 10:00 am we all left for a really short ride of 20 nautical miles, to Staniel Cay Yacht Club (sic), but surprising to me, the place turned out to be super cool. Mega yachts were anchored outside, smaller ones tied up amongst us. As soon as we were all secured we saw large nurse sharks swimming around the docks and under our boats. Most of us went to the onsite restaurant for a great lunch followed by an afternoon lounging by the pool. By dinner time, which some could not even think about because of the large portions at lunch, it was time for a relaxing cocktail or two poolside, followed by a game of “99” with the Quicks, Krygers and Taakes. Then an early retirement so as to wake early enough for low tide to allow room to slide under the cave at Thunderball Grotto. Can’t wait.
True confession time. While I was breaking down my dinghy at the end of that day, the outboard slipped from my hands and dropped in about 20 feet of water. Stupid yes, dumb no; I had enough sense to have a line tied to it. After retrieving it, I rinsed it and put it away totally disgusted. I don’t like dinghies and have sworn off them forever.
Next day, Friday May 28, after a short ride, we arrived at Compass Cay, again having beautiful sea conditions. We pulled in to a mecca of yachts, sport Fish yachts and a few big center consoles. Compass Cay Marina is bare bones marina, with not much to do unless you want to take a little hike to the beautiful crescent beach with crystal clear water that is about 1/2 mile long. Or you may want to test your bravery and get in the water to pet the many nurse sharks, which many of us did. We have the pictures. The only issue we had was after having had the reservations for months, three of the boats had to tie up at a dock with no power. Again the gensets ran for 48 hours maintaining inside comfort. On our second night at Compass we had a pot luck dinner under the dock pavilion. All of our great cooks did a mighty fine job. This club never goes hungry.
The next day, Friday May 30, we entered the most anticipated destination (by me), Highbourne Cay. Did I say WOW, a gorgeous marina with numerous tiki huts. A real neat open air restaurant on the side of a small mountain overlooking the whitest sand and bluest water you would ever want to see. Fabulous docks, more friendly sharks albeit one huge bull shark that showed up from time to time. Six guys along with Sharon Palmisano chartered a boat with captain and first mate for our fishing expedition. We were getting a little jealous seeing all the Mahi being caught and cleaned here at the marina. We dropped our lines and immediately had four hits but only brought in one. A few minutes later, three strikes, one brought in. Next strike was this writers turn and a mackerel was landed. All told, four Mahi and one mackerel boated. Definitely not bad for three hours. Guess what we had for dinner that night? Wrong ….. We had reservations at the hilltop restaurant. However, everyone received a huge bag of Mahi which was eaten the next night and truly appreciated.
Later that same day three locals came in with a boat load of fresh conch, cleaning and selling it. My remembrance of island conch salad flashed before me and of course, we had to have some. Rephil and Gary wanted to blow their horns so they each got a conch shell to take home. In my opinion, this is a place we could have stayed for a week. Tomorrow, it is back to the not so calm Nassau Harbour Club Marina to fuel, wash down and fill up with water. Sunday, June 1, was just a short run to Nassau with 15 knot winds. Protection from the island chain gave us a very favorable ride. Boats were cleaned. Len and Sharon’s guests, Greg and Bev disembarked to catch a plane back to reality and Ken and Sandra’s guests, Josh and Ashley. Arrived for the remainder of the trip, by chance, just in time for happy hour. After an hour of chopping the store bought produce, the conch was ready to marinate. Piled on top of saltines everyone seemed to enjoy the conch salad along with Gary’s famous bacon wrapped smoked oysters. Then off to do your own thing for dinner.
At about 9:00pm a loud boom was heard. We gathered outside and were entertained by a fabulous fireworks display right in the middle of the channel. No one knew what the occasion was so we decided it was the islander’s appreciation of the CCCC visit to the island. Tomorrow to Paradise Islands Atlantis, hopefully they will let us in early.
On Monday, June 2, we eagerly awaited our turn to be called into the inlet to Paradise Island. By around noon, we were all tied up, in line, right by one of the many pools and a harbor side restaurant. A few of us had lunch there which was pizza and huge burgers, then everyone anxiously scuttled off to explore the many sites and attractions. This place has grown immensely since our last visit here with so much more to do and see. There were many huge mega yachts to be seen also. You really need good shoes and feet to see only a portion of what is offered. The next morning everyone went in different directions and rarely would you run into one of your cruising friends. Some went to the water park, some went sightseeing, some went to the pool and some found a nice spot to people watch. The forecast for tomorrow is bumpy seas, however, the plan is to leave right after check out around 8:00 am and head to Bimini.
Wednesday, June 4, We arrived at Bimini at 1:35 pm after a morning departure time of 7:50 am, with seas not bad at all. Everyone relaxed, pooled it or did some sightseeing. Dinner time had everyone at The Big Game Club. It seemed most of us wanted the penne pasta Alf redo with shrimp and lobster. However, they didn’t have any lobster and replaced it with conch and the shrimp count was anywhere from two to four, which was a little disappointing but the pasta and sauce was delicious.
We all retired early anticipating the long haul to Marathon in the morning. Thursday, June 5, All seven boats departed Bimini around 7:30 am heading to Miami and then South fearing for rough seas. They say” there is nothing to fear but fear itself’. The quote held true, a little bumpy, but not bad at all. The group arrived at Marathon Marina at 2:00 pm, a long day of 128 nautical miles. Our last happy hour on “Sharon Ann”. Then we had a delightful dinner at the marina restaurant. Cheers and tears as this was the last night of a truly great experience. Anxiety set in as people began leaving at 7:00 am with Sunkissed and Sharon Ann pulling out at 7:45am into unbelievably calm seas. The entire trip up the Gulf of Mexico was as flat as your swimming pool… Again the sea gods overall saw fit to give us a great experience the entire time. We arrived and were secured at our dock at exactly 2:00 pm. We give Len and Sharon Palmisano a big thank you for making all the arrangements and keeping up with all the reservations through the entire trip. It all seemed seamless. Also a big thank you to the mechanical wizards for an amazing, no problem trip for all seven boats.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Larry Mitchell at 239-560-2823. View a short picture video of recent Club activities and read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org.
By Phil Quick