Trip Report
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Posted by Patrick on June 30, 1999 at 12:15:31:
Well sorry for the long delay in the trip report, but also returned to allot of work and not much time on the computer. Well I'll start off by thanking Sinclair for maintaining this message board and apologize for the length of this report. Also, Carl Fisher at Hontoon Marina in Deland Florida and Edgewater Power boats( I hope this doesn't violate commercial rule), but these guys were great in putting together and managing a 52 boat flotilla to the beautiful Abaco. Complete with some dinners and beach parties including plenty of goombay smash. Well at the Captains meeting on 6-11 at West Palm Beach I thought we would have towed a boat(Rinker 265), the farthest(Kansas City), but alas some guys came from Bloomfield Minnesota. If this isn't a testament to the lure of the Abaco I don't know what is. These guys were also crossing in the smallest boat, a 15 foot Edgewater. Kids don't try this at home, we had a lot of trip support from professionals.
Well when we took off from West Palm at 0600 on the 12th, we got about 5 miles off shore and noticed a waterspout off the starboard bow, not too concerned, the storm appeared to be headed South. Then a huge waterspout dropped down off the port bow and I became a little concerned, I've been through a tornado, don't care to do it again. My crew refused to go below to get vid camera, first inclination I might be making the trip with sissies. Passed right between the waterspouts and the sky opened up to clear blue. The rest of the trip was uneventful, barring 4 to 6 foot seas. The 61 statute mile trip took 4 hours and 63 gallons of gas. The remaining 110 miles to Green Turtle took approximately 4 hours and only 53.6 gallons of fuel, much smoother. Be prepared for 1 to 2 hour delay at gas pumps in Westend if there are many boats coming across. One of my crew overheard the guy inside taking the money for fuel, tell the guys pumping to slow down.
Arrived at Bluff House Hotel an took in food buffet being served by hosts. A little disappointed in Bluff House, compared to Green Turtle Club across the bay they are a little behind on prices and service. The next day because of activities with flotilla and some scuba diving off the North end of Great Guana, missed board meeting at Nippers, didn't arrive until about 1600. Seemed to definitely be the happenin place, Kalik, Kalik, Kalik and Cracked Conch. Didn't know it but if you call Nippers ahead they will pick you up at dock with your dive gear and take you across to the other side where the big reef is. The phrase for the trip was it's only ankle deep. While docking to go to Nippers, my depth finder showed 2.5 feet, Terry told Phil it was only "ankle deep" Phil went off the bow and went in up to his neck.....lol. Must have hit a hole. Finished up at Nippers and cruised over to Treasure Cay. Partied into the night at the Typsy Seagull, Kalik, Kalik, Kalik. Next day headed back up to have picnic on secluded beach on North end of Man Jack Cay( I think that they spell it Cay so they can tell who the Ameeericuns are when we pronounce it Kay and not Key). Beautiful pristine beach and stingray that has obviously gotten used to food handouts. Continuously cruised, even bumping people on the feet...lol. Terry cut bottom of foot on seashell, break out the neosporine and bandages from my partially cut off little toe getting ready for the trip. Now two gimps on the trip. Two crew members(sissies), started becoming disenchanted in not being able to dive shipwrecks all day and party in a Nassau type environment all night.
Headed back South and threw a belt on the boat. Couldn't get another until the next day form Robert’s Marine. That sealed it for Phil and Scott, they flew back to Lauderdale, oh well their loss and more room on the boat for me and Terry. Finally fixed the belt and got back underway. Went back down to Treasure for the night, definitely the more expensive dockage $1.00 per foot, and I believe $8.00 for water and $9.00 for electricity. If you want to see a lot of privately owned 1 to probably 3 million dollar fishing boats they're at Treasure. Went to the beach(rated the third most beautiful beach in the world by National Geographic), the following day. Thee most incredible blue water and beautiful sand beach I have ever seen. Saw a Stingray actually jump out of the water. I heard they were going to put a Sandals in here, leave it the way it is, that's all I'll say. Went on down to Marsh Harbour, picked up a little rum and some fishing advice for Tuna from a guy at hardware store, "use a basic blue and white cedar plug and troll Tuna Road."(more about that later.) Cruised down to Yahoes and donated ships flag, "The Hard Ways Work'n Port of Kansas City." Briefly talked to flying dogs on the VHF but never hooked up. Left Yahoes and went up to Hope Town and partied the rest of the night at Cap'n Jacks. Many Kaliks later, bartender let us stay tied up for the night and we had breakfast there in the morning. Got souvenirs at Mangoes and went up in the light house. Now let me warn you, if you happen to weigh 400 lbs plus, and you do survive the climb to the top of the lighthouse, there is about a two by three foot opening to climb through to see the view, which is simply fantastic. Please don't be offended by that last remark it is simply a warning, I'm not particularly small at 225. Scuba dived the reef at Fowl Cay Preserve, once again, gin clear water, saw turtles, the biggest Parrot fish I've ever seen and some of the most incredible coral formations. The cruising guide shows several mooring buoys here but I only saw one, please be careful not to anchor on the reef. Headed back North for the big beach party at Bluff House and grooved the night away to the sounds of Kevin "Island Spice" McIntosh and the Bluff House Junkanoo players. Passed out, don't know when, and arose the following day for our last full day in the beautiful Abaco. Went down to Tuna Road and trolled the cedar plug about halfway down the 6.5 mile length and just when I thought it was a waste of time, the reel started spinning. Grabbed the rod, and started trying to bring him in. Terry grabbed the video cam and about the time I told him to back down on the fish, he made a run and almost completely spooled me. Now I know I'm going to draw the jibes of the real saltwater fishermen out there, but give me a break, it was my first time. I tightened the drag ever so slightly and he snapped the line. Yep never even saw him. Probably about 4,000lbs...lol. Headed back to Bluff House for final fish fry and party. Left Bluff House at 0600 on the morning of the 19th. Decided to spend the night in Westend before crossing back because the belt problem wasn't completely resolved and the weather wasn't good, winds out of the Northwest 15 to 20. That's where I met the noseeum bugs and got bit like crazy. Crossed the next day with 4 to 6 footers, but a following sea, which made it easier. Although we did hit some remnant 10 foot rollers from the previous nights brief North Wind. Apparently once the wind comes out of the North it doesn't take very long for the waves to build but awhile for them to die down.
All in all a magnificent trip to what must be a little piece of heaven on earth. I'll be back next year with the family.
347 days and counting.
P.S. Again, sorry for the length but there just isn't enough you can say about this place.
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