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Suggested Abacos Itinerary
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. |
Suggested Abacos Itinerary
Say, that sounds line an Endeavour 32. Is it?
(The waterline the painted isn't the one they measured the draft to BTW:) -- Roger Long |
Suggested Abacos Itinerary
On Apr 17, 6:39 am, wrote:
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. We enjoyed Green Turtle very much. Marsh is kind of the middle. We took the route around the top and down. You can see & read about all this at our site http://www.knottydog.com/kd2005/bahamas.htm Have fun Larry |
Suggested Abacos Itinerary
On Apr 17, 10:17 am, Ziggy wrote:
On Apr 17, 6:39 am, wrote: 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. We enjoyed Green Turtle very much. Marsh is kind of the middle. We took the route around the top and down. You can see & read about all this at our site http://www.knottydog.com/kd2005/bahamas.htm Have fun Larry Thanks very much. Enjoyed your site. |
Suggested Abacos Itinerary
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Suggested Abacos Itinerary
Mike,
I went down to the Abacos twice this winter and have twice been there before. We had 4'-8" draft this year, but on one occasion the boat was a 50 footer with 7'3" draft! On one earlier trip, we crossed from Lauderdale to West End. Did this overnight arriving early morning. After checking in, we took local bus to Freeport to buy some parts for outboard and look around. Next day, we motored sailed to Great Sale, but because of draft, went round Memory Rock. It was dusk when we got there, but with daylight savings time and the longer daylight, you may be able to go direct from West End to Great Sale - there is not much protection at Mangrove. Otherwise, your itinerary looks OK. But, a few comments. Manjack, just North of Green Turtle is a nice spot - good swimming on North side - walk through small conservation area to get to the beach. There are 3 anchoring areas. Just 3 houses on this island. Green Turtle has two parts - White sound where Green Turtle Club and Bluff House are located. Nice spots for some R&R. Entrance is just 4'-6" at low water, so be careful of the tides. Black Sound is where marina is and you can walk into New Plymouth - a must - also limited draft at entrance. You can also anchor just off the Main dock of New Plymouth, but this is exposed. Guana Cay is a must because you have to go to Nippers for lunch! Not that great, but everyone HAS to go there! You can anchor in Settlement Harbour, but holding is not too good and most of space is taken by mooring cans - you should pick one up if you can. There is a very nice marine (Orchid Bay) but it does cost $2.25/ft. But, on opposite side of the harbour, there is a white dock where you can tie up for $20.00. It used to be part of the resort that had a fire (There is a small bar at the beach that overlooks Fishers Bay. There is a guy in a houseboat who will collect the money. You can also anchor in Fisher bay, just to the North. Treasure Cay has a nice marina and an anchorage area. Seems like they are now charging for anchoring! There is a nice restaurant (Spinnakers) as well as the Tipsy bar. There are a few stores including a smallish grocery store. Marsh Harbour is not a place to spend too much time, but is convenient for airport pickups. You can anchor or pick up a can in the main harbour or use one of the marinas. Also some nice restaurants like Mangos. To the South, there is a good marina at Boat Harbour - a bit expensive though, but sometimes useful if heading South to Little Harbour which is about far as you will likely go (shallow entrance, watch tides!) Man-o-war has good anchorages. One in front of town is a bit busy, but we have been able to anchor there - there is a bit more space in the other basin to the South. The entrance look narrow, but is easy if you follow the instructions. Other must stop, is of course Hopetown on Elbow Cay. Not much chance of anchoring, so be sure to phone ahead and book a mooring can. We called Hopetown Harbour Marina (they also have slips), They are on stbd side going in. Otherwise, try calling Abaco Charters or Lucky Strike on VHF. The lighthouse is worth a visit - An original kerosenne powered light that still works! Have a look at the Hopetown Harbour Lodge - it runs from the ocean right over to the bay. The swimming pool and bar on the ocean side are a great spot for lunch and there is a snorkelling area just off the beach. Vernons is small store that is worth a visit for supplies - they make a great Key Lime Pie - phone ahead and order one. Captain Jacks and Harbours Edge are good places for a good dinner, but not fine dining! Have a great Cruise! 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. |
Suggested Abacos Itinerary
On Apr 17, 12:37 pm, "Anon" wrote:
Mike, I went down to the Abacos twice this winter and have twice been there before. We had 4'-8" draft this year, but on one occasion the boat was a 50 footer with 7'3" draft! On one earlier trip, we crossed from Lauderdale to West End. Did this overnight arriving early morning. After checking in, we took local bus to Freeport to buy some parts for outboard and look around. Next day, we motored sailed to Great Sale, but because of draft, went round Memory Rock. It was dusk when we got there, but with daylight savings time and the longer daylight, you may be able to go direct from West End to Great Sale - there is not much protection at Mangrove. Otherwise, your itinerary looks OK. But, a few comments. Manjack, just North of Green Turtle is a nice spot - good swimming on North side - walk through small conservation area to get to the beach. There are 3 anchoring areas. Just 3 houses on this island. Green Turtle has two parts - White sound where Green Turtle Club and Bluff House are located. Nice spots for some R&R. Entrance is just 4'-6" at low water, so be careful of the tides. Black Sound is where marina is and you can walk into New Plymouth - a must - also limited draft at entrance. You can also anchor just off the Main dock of New Plymouth, but this is exposed. Guana Cay is a must because you have to go to Nippers for lunch! Not that great, but everyone HAS to go there! You can anchor in Settlement Harbour, but holding is not too good and most of space is taken by mooring cans - you should pick one up if you can. There is a very nice marine (Orchid Bay) but it does cost $2.25/ft. But, on opposite side of the harbour, there is a white dock where you can tie up for $20.00. It used to be part of the resort that had a fire (There is a small bar at the beach that overlooks Fishers Bay. There is a guy in a houseboat who will collect the money. You can also anchor in Fisher bay, just to the North. Treasure Cay has a nice marina and an anchorage area. Seems like they are now charging for anchoring! There is a nice restaurant (Spinnakers) as well as the Tipsy bar. There are a few stores including a smallish grocery store. Marsh Harbour is not a place to spend too much time, but is convenient for airport pickups. You can anchor or pick up a can in the main harbour or use one of the marinas. Also some nice restaurants like Mangos. To the South, there is a good marina at Boat Harbour - a bit expensive though, but sometimes useful if heading South to Little Harbour which is about far as you will likely go (shallow entrance, watch tides!) Man-o-war has good anchorages. One in front of town is a bit busy, but we have been able to anchor there - there is a bit more space in the other basin to the South. The entrance look narrow, but is easy if you follow the instructions. Other must stop, is of course Hopetown on Elbow Cay. Not much chance of anchoring, so be sure to phone ahead and book a mooring can. We called Hopetown Harbour Marina (they also have slips), They are on stbd side going in. Otherwise, try calling Abaco Charters or Lucky Strike on VHF. The lighthouse is worth a visit - An original kerosenne powered light that still works! Have a look at the Hopetown Harbour Lodge - it runs from the ocean right over to the bay. The swimming pool and bar on the ocean side are a great spot for lunch and there is a snorkelling area just off the beach. Vernons is small store that is worth a visit for supplies - they make a great Key Lime Pie - phone ahead and order one. Captain Jacks and Harbours Edge are good places for a good dinner, but not fine dining! Have a great Cruise! 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.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - That's enormously helpful. Thank you so very much! |
Suggested Abacos Itinerary
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Suggested Abacos Itinerary
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. |
Suggested Abacos Itinerary
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 |
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