Norman's Cay to Thomas Cay

Sunday , May 19 

Due to the forecast 20-25+ kt SE winds for the next couple of days, I started figuring out a good anchorage area for several days. I decided to look for a good spot between Compass Cay and Sampson Cay.

I ran down the western side of Compass Cay and anchored about .3nm below the NE tip of Pipe Cay, temporarily, while looking for a better spot with the Whaler.

The Pipe Cay anchorage would probably be an ok spot, if I couldn't find any better. The current screams through there, and the wind was 20-ish. The sand bar to the east provides protection from the wakes of the dozens of outboards that seem to be cruising through there from Staniel to Compass. Where I dropped the hook, slightly up on the bank, in 11' of water, the sand was great holding. I just didn't like the spot. N24 15.281' W076 30.795




I took the Whaler, working to the south, following, more or less, Garmin's recommended route, until I found the PERFECT spot! I am currently anchored off the western side of Thomas Cay, about half way down.

I have good electronics on the Whaler and on the MERCY. Unfortunately, I have no way to communicate the tracks I have made with the Garmin on the Whaler to the Raymarine on the MERCY. The easiest fix? I carry an iPad! I scouted out several different paths across the final bar coming in here, picked the one I wanted, and recorded my "final" track back to the boat on Garmin's Blue Chart on the iPad. I pretty much followed that track to my present anchorage with the MERCY.




It is funny how dependent we become on electronics. In the early 90's, I followed this same shallow water route down with my old boat, which drew considerably less, without the benefit of GPS or cartography. I think I had a copy of the Yachtsman's Guide to the Bahamas, and created my own sketch charts. Unfortunately, most of my old sketches succumbed to mildew and were destroyed. It is amazing all the advances that have been made with computers and electronics in my lifetime.

Anchored N24 14.245' W076 25.425' 14' in sand 35nm today

Allen's Cay, Highbourne Cay, Norman's Cay.

Saturday May 18, 2013

When I began this trip, I was hustling to get down to Crooked Islands and to the Acklins. This morning, after listening to the long term forecast for this next week, I decided that time constraints were not going to allow that in time to return north of the Tropic of Cancer by June 1. (insurance stuff)

So now I have switched into explore mode.

I took the Whaler from Highbourne to Allens Cay to see the iguanas. I remember the first time I was there, in the 90's, how impressed I was with the ugly, prehistoric looking creatures, that would charge the skiff when you came near the shore, looking for hand-outs. Since exotic iguanas have inundated the Florida Keys, much of my iguana watching has been through the scope of a pellet rifle, and I am not nearly so enamored by their looks.

When I arrived at the cays, there was a group of college-age looking kids with a few snares, wandering about the island. The iguanas were all hidden. I went to the northernmost key, and saw a couple of iguanas.  I also saw this osprey.

I moved the MERCY down to anchor on the western side of Norman's Cay, and ran the Whaler to the north, along the beach, into the gorgeous anchorage on the SW side of Saddle Cay. That anchorage would be accessible by the east, or the north, watching for the shoals on the north. Mercy-dog and I enjoyed the sand spit that was here at low tide.

This little island, just off Norman's Cay, has got to be one of the most "postcard" looking islands I've ever seen.  It is truly beautiful!

Then we went by Whaler to the south, into the anchorage inside Norman's, and cruised over to look at the plane, still visible and awash, famous from the drug days of Carlos Lehder.

We went into Norman's Cay Pond, carefully marking our route to return for a hurricane hole, if we need one in this area. Some nice homes have been built in here since I was here last.

There was one 5.8' spot on, if Norman's follows Nassau by 30 minutes, about a 1.8' tide. This vessel was up in the far corner.

I scrubbed on the waterline, de-grassing the MERCY until my arms were tired, while the current was slack. Then I cooked a great dinner and enjoyed another beautiful evening in the Exumas.

N24 36.660' W076 49.223 in sand 8'