Georgetown

The Exuma Sound side of the island protecting the Georgetown area is typically like this. Four to 7' seas running for 30-70 miles uniterupted.

Well, here we are in beautiful Georgetown! Photos show the beautiful natural settings that make the trip worthwhile.
Now, the rest of the story...

We got in to the harbor on the afternoon of March 16th, settling in close to town to take a look see. Later on that day, we went over to Stocking Island's Monument Beach, to anchor in a cove well protected from the Northwest to NE. We dropped the 110 Bruce and let out about 75' of chain + snubber line for shock absorbency. Around 3 a.m. we felt the boat rock to one side hard.

A wind shift with 20 or so knots was now facing our bow towards the west, a 165 deg. shift from the early evening. I turned on the instruments/radar while in the saloon and proceed to watch one big Catamaran that was way out in front of us now(behind us before the wind shift). IF he was to drag, he would be the only one I needed to be concerned about. The winds quickly went to 30, then 35, then the boat rolled hard to starboard and did not come back up. We were quickly drifting/dragging sidewards, towards the beach-not far away. I yelled for Dorothy to start the engine and I scooted up into the cockpit to try to assess our surroundings. The wind was driving the heavy rain sidewards and reducing visibility to 50-100 ft. max. As the engine started, my stern was just passing by an anchored catamaran as he was yelling to me that I still had 14' of water. Nice to know..... but within another 50', there was only 6' of water, then rocks.












We had stocked well and suplimented along the way, here frozen salmon filets from the Exuma market. Dorothy adds her touch for another wonderful meal. We do eat much pre-packaged/frozen meals which keep things simple yet tasty.







I hammered the throttle and swung the rudder hard left. The bow luckily turned into the wind and I was able to stabilize the boat just off the beach, between the cat and another boat. Until I could get our anchor's snubber loose and our anchor up we went thru minutes of raised blood pressure. Back out we went and reset the anchor as the wind moderated and the rain's chill was finally felt above the settling adrenaline levels.
Ahhh, Paradise.
The next afternoon at 2PM again a squall came through but this time from the North. We were protected, but have you ever noticed in Boating Magazines all those pretty advertisements of the new Catamarans anchored in 2' of water and virtually stepping off to the beach?



Termite nest on tree is a host for the small lizard, having lunch.








Well. It does seem that the mindset has been taken to heart and proper/safe anchoring procedures have been discarded by many of the Cat owners. Within 5 minutes 3 0r 4 cats, some over 50' in length and 25-30' wide, were scrambling to dodge the properly anchored vessels in the anchorage. Most of the cats, had 20-30' between them and their smaller sized anchor, dropped on the beach and set in the loose beach sand over..rock. The beach? ..a foot or so of very soft large granule sand over limestone. Uh huh, off they went! A half hour later, they were back in front of everyone looking to do the same darned thing, pick the perfect spot on the beach or up in front of the long set fleet. Why is it that with 70 boats in a tight anchorage, that the newcomers think the perfect spot is waiting for them "Up Front"? What's wrong with dropping the hook behind the rest so everyone can get a sound nights sleep?





Dorothy enjoyed her shelling.












OK. Two nights later. 11 PM: We are watching the movie Jazz Singer on DVD and 5 minutes from the end we feel the boat rock a bit; hear the patter of rain drops. No problem, we know how to do this, so instruments on, radar on, engine on. Out into the cockpit I go for a look see. Shit, by the time I get up there the rain is heavy and wind up to 35-40 knots. Fine, I still feel like an old pro at this so what the heck. The only problem is that now I'm soaked already, but I put on foul weather coat anyway, but now it holds the cool water "in".

Well it wasn't long until the fun started. Winds and rain went to 50, shifting 30 degrees or so abruptly. With the tall hills on both ends of the harbor right/left of us, the poor souls there were frantically trying not to slam into each other, being whipped to port, then starboard fiercely. WE, had some room, but then the winds seem to drop 5 then increase 10!!









Climbing aids were sometimes available to get up or down steep paths.







I looked off to the right and saw 3 big cats, now in a line front to rear, with the last one dragging fast. Out to the big bay he went. 30 seconds later, cat #2 followed! His spreader lights on, folks on deck trying to do whatever. With motor on, he was trying to regroup, when Cat #1 broke loose from his beach foothold! Yup, down on #2 he sped backwards. Number 2 backed down hard...in 45-55 kts. to avoid him and they danced the frantic dance of the evening, avoiding themselves and others around them. By this time the call was out on our harbor channel of 68 for everyone to light up their decks to help us identify our situation as the wind...BUILT!

David and Jill from Shubumi aboard for another get together. We really enjoyed their company as well as Jim's and Ann's. Fun Group!

Again, a few more cats dragged, one without an owner aboard, and several monohulls took to the rear. NO damage seemed to result, but many were assisting others, anchors and lines were dropped in 'retreat'. Those new to this felt a bit overwhelmed, but learned the things that must somehow, someday be learned. All ended well and many have rated it the worst such situation they have encountered.


Atop Monument Hill enjoying the view of 1/2 of the anchorage on the West side of Stocking Island, looking towards Georgetown.










Jim and Ann from 'Bees Knees'


The winds? Well, I had estimated in overwhelming surprise to Dorothy I thought it must be near 50 or 60 knots. All the reports up and down the island ranged from 60-67 and they were long lasting gusts..LONG lasting.

The "Bar", has been raised.
















A shallow lake at the base of the Monument.






A quiet pool alongside one of the paths we explored with Jim and Ann.