Why George Town?
Many people have the dream of getting a sailboat and sailing off for
The Great Adventure. The Bahamas is the natural place to go as it is
only 45 nm from Florida, and it is really exotic. It is also modern with
good drinking water, medical facilities, internet, etc. Did I say
exotic? It is really exotic. So many boaters come here in the winter and
go back to the US for the summer, when the wind doesn't blow as
consistantly, and there is a concern about hurricanes. You can easily
sail from anchorage to anchorage in a short sailing day, all the way
from Marsh Harbour, Abaco, in the north, to George Town, Exuma, in the
south. After George Town the islands are farther apart and harder to get
to, so many boaters make Georgetown their southernmost destination. It
also has a very large natural harbour, and the village has grown to
service the boaters who visit. And visit they do. "Everybody" stops in
George Town. This is a big weekend, with a big annual regatta, and from
where I anchored I counted 250 sailboats that I can see. Other people
say to double that number. And the place is not crowded or congested or
dirty or noisy. It is a great place to come to. Some people prefer a
more private, secluded location, but many thrive in the almost cruise
ship atmosphere with activities: organized beach sports (beach golf this
weekend), cookouts, covered dish dinners, community service outings,
concerts,...going on almost every day, every evening. This is also the
time for all the boaters when folks get together with their friends
before everybody starts moving north to arrive back in the US in April
and May.
I stayed one day before going north to meet friends from
Little Washington, Vic & Gigi) at a place called Black Point
Community, almost up to Staniel Cay. We had a really good short visit,
and now I am back down to about 20 nm from George Town, at a place
called Rolleville. Normandie located a fellow here who gives kiteboard
lessons. Right now the weather is somewhat dirty, but when it clears up I
am going to try to further develop my skills.
Now
the dispatches will be infrequent. The interesting part was
singlehanding down from North Carolina. Now it is just "Bill's vacation
in the Bahamas". I will continue with regular Spot position updates, and
send a dispatch only when something interesting happens.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
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