Mike,
Here's another routing if you want to save some time *and* if the weather is
suitable. Leave West Palm in late afternoon-early evening and arrive on the
Little Bahama Bank just after daybreak and just keep on going to arrive at
Great Sale by late afternoon for a total run of a bit under 24 hours more or
less depending on conditions.

Given the need to fight the Gulf Stream on that particular crossing, there
is a lot to be said for laying a more northerly course, more towards Memory
Rock than West End.

Spend the night at Great Sale, get a reasonably early start and you can
easily make Green Turtle that afternoon without having to push too hard.
Pick up one of the inexpensive moorings in Black Sound off "The Other
Shore Club", dinghy in, walk into town and clear customs there. Nice
friendly relaxed place and Marsh Harbor is easily reached by taking the
ferry across to Treasure Island and taxi or rental car from there to Marsh
Harbour. With your draft you should have no problems along that route if
you have up to date charts. We made that run a couple of years ago, cleared
the W. Palm Beach inlet around 6pm and got to Great Sale around 5 pm next
day and Black Sound the next afternoon.
Scott
SV Itchen


wrote in message
oups.com...
I am making a crossing from West Palm Beach to sail the Abacos in the
next six weeks, and have two weeks for the trip. Need to drop off and
pick up passengers at the airport in Marsh Harbor half way through.
This is my first trip to the area, and I'd be interested in hearing
suggested itineraries and routes from others who've been there
before. My 32 foot sailboat draws 4 ft. 2 inches. My idea is to
check in at West End then anchor that same night at Mangrove, the next
night at Great Sale, then Allen-Pensacola, then Green Turtle, then
Marsh Harbor. After that, I'd be retracing the same route back to
West Palm. Thoughts about this approach or any others? Many thanks.

On Apr 17, 9:53 pm, "Scott" ASDF wrote:
Mike,
Here's another routing if you want to save some time *and* if the weather is
suitable. Leave West Palm in late afternoon-early evening and arrive on the
Little Bahama Bank just after daybreak and just keep on going to arrive at
Great Sale by late afternoon for a total run of a bit under 24 hours more or
less depending on conditions.

Given the need to fight the Gulf Stream on that particular crossing, there
is a lot to be said for laying a more northerly course, more towards Memory
Rock than West End.

Spend the night at Great Sale, get a reasonably early start and you can
easily make Green Turtle that afternoon without having to push too hard.
Pick up one of the inexpensive moorings in Black Sound off "The Other
Shore Club", dinghy in, walk into town and clear customs there. Nice
friendly relaxed place and Marsh Harbor is easily reached by taking the
ferry across to Treasure Island and taxi or rental car from there to Marsh
Harbour. With your draft you should have no problems along that route if
you have up to date charts. We made that run a couple of years ago, cleared
the W. Palm Beach inlet around 6pm and got to Great Sale around 5 pm next
day and Black Sound the next afternoon.
Scott
SV Itchen
- Show quoted text -

Scott,

Although I may have misunderstood your post, what port of entry are
you suggesting he use instead of West End?

Thanks and take care . . .

John

On 18 Apr 2007 05:33:25 -0700, John wrote:

Although I may have misunderstood your post, what port of entry are
you suggesting he use instead of West End?

New Providence on Green Turtle Cay as I understood it. Perfectly
valid as long as you fly the Q flag, don't leave the boat or fish
before you check in.

Just a few things :

The town on Green Turtle is New Plymouth, not New Providence.

It's true that you can check in at several of the islands provide you don't
go ashore. So no real need to go to West End, but we certainly did not find
it busy earlier in the year. If you have the crew and the desire, you can
sail direct to Great Sale and then check in at Spanish Cay or Green Turtle
(there may be others too). Read the instructions on entering the Bahamas - I
think the crew must remain on board while the captain takes all the
passports to the customs (you do need passports). You will also have to pay
for a cruising permit - $300, I think.

You cannot get a ferry from Green Turtle to Treasure Cay Marina (It's
Treasure Cay not "Island" ). There is a ferry that goes to a ferry dock
that is part way between the Treasure Cay resort and the Treasure Cay
airport. From there you can get a taxi to Treasure Cay. The taxi fare into
Marsh Harbour (about 30 miles) is about $70.00 for 2 plus $10/person. Can't
see doing that if you can sail there yourself to pick up your crew.

In Black Sound, GTC, there is a dinghy dock just to the North of the marina
on the starboard side (is that the Other Shore Club?). We usually left our
dinghy there and walked up the little path next to a collapsed boathouse on
our way into New Plymouth. For a low cost Bahamas lunch, try the Wrecking
Tree cafe, just as you enter town.

One thing to be aware of, is that in sailing from Green Turtle to Guana and
beyond, you normally sail around Whale Cay. This passage is often benign,
but in strong northerlies or other high wind conditions, the passage can be
impassable. With 4'-3" draft you can take an inside route through Don't
Rock - It's not marked, but you just sail just to the east of the small
islands (see chart book). Depth at MLW is about 4-5 ft. We went through with
4'8" draft at high tide and always had a foot or more to spare.

By the way, Stephen Dodge's Guide to Cruising the Abacos is a must for those
who have not done this trip before.

"Scott" ASDF wrote in message ...
Mike,
Here's another routing if you want to save some time *and* if the weather
is
suitable. Leave West Palm in late afternoon-early evening and arrive on
the
Little Bahama Bank just after daybreak and just keep on going to arrive at
Great Sale by late afternoon for a total run of a bit under 24 hours more
or
less depending on conditions.

Given the need to fight the Gulf Stream on that particular crossing, there
is a lot to be said for laying a more northerly course, more towards
Memory
Rock than West End.

Spend the night at Great Sale, get a reasonably early start and you can
easily make Green Turtle that afternoon without having to push too hard.
Pick up one of the inexpensive moorings in Black Sound off "The Other
Shore Club", dinghy in, walk into town and clear customs there. Nice
friendly relaxed place and Marsh Harbor is easily reached by taking the
ferry across to Treasure Island and taxi or rental car from there to Marsh
Harbour. With your draft you should have no problems along that route if
you have up to date charts. We made that run a couple of years ago,
cleared
the W. Palm Beach inlet around 6pm and got to Great Sale around 5 pm next
day and Black Sound the next afternoon.
Scott
SV Itchen


wrote in message
oups.com...
I am making a crossing from West Palm Beach to sail the Abacos in the
next six weeks, and have two weeks for the trip. Need to drop off and
pick up passengers at the airport in Marsh Harbor half way through.
This is my first trip to the area, and I'd be interested in hearing
suggested itineraries and routes from others who've been there
before. My 32 foot sailboat draws 4 ft. 2 inches. My idea is to
check in at West End then anchor that same night at Mangrove, the next
night at Great Sale, then Allen-Pensacola, then Green Turtle, then
Marsh Harbor. After that, I'd be retracing the same route back to
West Palm. Thoughts about this approach or any others? Many thanks.

To anyone here who has been to Hope Town more recently than me (which
may be almost everyone on the group):

Many years ago, my dad took us into Hope Town. One of my most vivid
memories was going some place in town and having Manhattan-style conch
chowder that was simply outstanding. As I recall it was a house
speciality. Does anyone who has been there recently, know if such a
place might still be there?


To (the original poster): if we can come to some
consensus on where such a place might be, do NOT fail include this on
your itinerary.

Another memory from the same trip: Sitting on the dock with my
girlfriend in New Plymouth, just down the street from the bakery,
using a dive knife (no . . . not the suggested implement) to cut and
butter the fresh, still hot Bahamian bread. Once you try that bread,
you too will understand what all the noise is about. Do not miss it.

Thanks in advance and take care . . .


John

On 18 Apr 2007 08:57:55 -0700, John wrote:

To anyone here who has been to Hope Town more recently than me (which
may be almost everyone on the group):

Many years ago, my dad took us into Hope Town. One of my most vivid
memories was going some place in town and having Manhattan-style conch
chowder that was simply outstanding.

I was there last year at this time. The restaurant in question is
probably either Captain Jacks or Harbours Edge. They both have good
basic food and are right on the water.

On Apr 18, 11:57 am, John wrote:
To anyone here who has been to Hope Town more recently than me (which
may be almost everyone on the group):

Many years ago, my dad took us into Hope Town. One of my most vivid
memories was going some place in town and having Manhattan-style conch
chowder that was simply outstanding. As I recall it was a house
speciality. Does anyone who has been there recently, know if such a
place might still be there?

To (the original poster): if we can come to some
consensus on where such a place might be, do NOT fail include this on
your itinerary.

Another memory from the same trip: Sitting on the dock with my
girlfriend in New Plymouth, just down the street from the bakery,
using a dive knife (no . . . not the suggested implement) to cut and
butter the fresh, still hot Bahamian bread. Once you try that bread,
you too will understand what all the noise is about. Do not miss it.

Thanks in advance and take care . . .

John

Thanks very much to everyone who posted this information. You guys
are a great resource!

I hear what some of you are saying about steering for Memory Rock and
heading straight for Great Sale instead of fighting the current down
to West End. That sounds like a good option, but it sounds like I
won't be fishing for two days. I love to troll for fish, and I
usually cook what I catch. I'd hate to sail almost the breadth of
the Sea of Abaco to Green Turtle Cay committed to not fishing unless
the fishing is usually not worth it. Anyone able to comment on that?
If the fishing is worthwhile and trolling from a sailboat before
checking in is something strictly forbidden, that's a reason to check
in at West End.

I'm also a big believer in "smelling the roses" along a cruise rather
than putting miles under the keel, and I generally plan itineraries
for less than a full day unless it's just unsafe to stop sooner. One
of the guide books says Mangrove Key provides a suitable lee. If so,
I'd be more inclined to anchor there after checking in at West End on
the first day, and to take my time reaching Green Turtle to allow more
time to sleep late, swim and snorkel in the morning, have that extra
cup of coffee, and lolligag my way across the bank than to commit to
an early morning start and a late afternoon arrival at a farther
destination. That's just my approach to cruising, though. I realize
others may prefer otherwise.

wrote in message
ups.com...
On Apr 18, 11:57 am, John wrote:
To anyone here who has been to Hope Town more recently than me (which
may be almost everyone on the group):

Many years ago, my dad took us into Hope Town. One of my most vivid
memories was going some place in town and having Manhattan-style
conch
chowder that was simply outstanding. As I recall it was a house
speciality. Does anyone who has been there recently, know if such a
place might still be there?

To (the original poster): if we can come to some
consensus on where such a place might be, do NOT fail include this on
your itinerary.

Another memory from the same trip: Sitting on the dock with my
girlfriend in New Plymouth, just down the street from the bakery,
using a dive knife (no . . . not the suggested implement) to cut and
butter the fresh, still hot Bahamian bread. Once you try that bread,
you too will understand what all the noise is about. Do not miss it.

Thanks in advance and take care . . .

John

Thanks very much to everyone who posted this information. You guys
are a great resource!

I hear what some of you are saying about steering for Memory Rock and
heading straight for Great Sale instead of fighting the current down
to West End. That sounds like a good option, but it sounds like I
won't be fishing for two days. I love to troll for fish, and I
usually cook what I catch. I'd hate to sail almost the breadth of
the Sea of Abaco to Green Turtle Cay committed to not fishing unless
the fishing is usually not worth it. Anyone able to comment on that?
If the fishing is worthwhile and trolling from a sailboat before
checking in is something strictly forbidden, that's a reason to check
in at West End.

I'm also a big believer in "smelling the roses" along a cruise rather
than putting miles under the keel, and I generally plan itineraries
for less than a full day unless it's just unsafe to stop sooner. One
of the guide books says Mangrove Key provides a suitable lee. If so,
I'd be more inclined to anchor there after checking in at West End on
the first day, and to take my time reaching Green Turtle to allow more
time to sleep late, swim and snorkel in the morning, have that extra
cup of coffee, and lolligag my way across the bank than to commit to
an early morning start and a late afternoon arrival at a farther
destination. That's just my approach to cruising, though. I realize
others may prefer otherwise.

You have the right attitude but may I suggest two weeks to get to Marsh
and back home is not enough time unless you put more miles in per day
than you seem to wish to. Try to get a month off if you expect to be
able to smell the roses. I spent three weeks one time just getting from
West End to Marsh. The wind was always howling right on the nose and I
stopped in this lee and that lee to smell the roses for days at a time.
Sometimes this is what you run into getting to Marsh from West End. I
got stuck at Allans/Pensacola for five days. The wind never blew less
than twenty knots right from the southeast. If this happens to you and
you start to run low on supplies or snacks remember Fox Town to the
southwest. Few stop there but the anchorage is sheltered and groceries,
fuel and ice are available. Oh, I'd recommend you get an Explorer
Chartbook of the Abacos. Very worthwhile for navigation.

Wilbur Hubbard

wrote:
On Apr 18, 11:57 am, John wrote:
To anyone here who has been to Hope Town more recently than me (which
may be almost everyone on the group):

Many years ago, my dad took us into Hope Town. One of my most vivid
memories was going some place in town and having Manhattan-style conch
chowder that was simply outstanding. As I recall it was a house
speciality. Does anyone who has been there recently, know if such a
place might still be there?

To (the original poster): if we can come to some
consensus on where such a place might be, do NOT fail include this on
your itinerary.

Another memory from the same trip: Sitting on the dock with my
girlfriend in New Plymouth, just down the street from the bakery,
using a dive knife (no . . . not the suggested implement) to cut and
butter the fresh, still hot Bahamian bread. Once you try that bread,
you too will understand what all the noise is about. Do not miss it.

Thanks in advance and take care . . .

John

Thanks very much to everyone who posted this information. You guys
are a great resource!

I hear what some of you are saying about steering for Memory Rock and
heading straight for Great Sale instead of fighting the current down
to West End. That sounds like a good option, but it sounds like I
won't be fishing for two days. I love to troll for fish, and I
usually cook what I catch. I'd hate to sail almost the breadth of
the Sea of Abaco to Green Turtle Cay committed to not fishing unless
the fishing is usually not worth it. Anyone able to comment on that?
If the fishing is worthwhile and trolling from a sailboat before
checking in is something strictly forbidden, that's a reason to check
in at West End.

I'm also a big believer in "smelling the roses" along a cruise rather
than putting miles under the keel, and I generally plan itineraries
for less than a full day unless it's just unsafe to stop sooner. One
of the guide books says Mangrove Key provides a suitable lee. If so,
I'd be more inclined to anchor there after checking in at West End on
the first day, and to take my time reaching Green Turtle to allow more
time to sleep late, swim and snorkel in the morning, have that extra
cup of coffee, and lolligag my way across the bank than to commit to
an early morning start and a late afternoon arrival at a farther
destination. That's just my approach to cruising, though. I realize
others may prefer otherwise.

I have trolled across the bank from Memory Rock to Great Sale several
and the only thing I caught was Barracuda. Several of them, but I don't
think you want to eat a large 'cuda.
krj