Saturday 27 February - Why George Town?

Saturday 27 February - Why George Town?
The more adventurous boater has really good opportunities with the Bahamas so close. Bimini is only 45 nm off the Florida coast, an easy crossing in settled weather. Then from Bimini there are hundreds of islands, beaches, and anchorages within a day's sail to visit and explore. A favorite is a string of small islands (Cays, pronounced "Keys") called the Exumas, which south-easterly for about 150 miles. It is easy sailing down these islands with anchorages all along the way. There are other islands on the way, Abaco, Andros, New Providence (Nassau), Eleuthera, Cat Island, San Salvador, Run Cay. But south of the Exumas the "out Islands" a farther apart, less developed and with fewer anchorages. So the south end of the Exumas is the dividing point between the "easy cruising" had the "more challenging cruising". That is where George Town is located. It is blessed with a beautiful natural Elizabeth Harbour, that is a mile wide and five miles long. Many cruisers come as far as George Town, hang around for awhile (all winter), then go back north. The small town is comfortable and has a nice market, some laid back restaurants, a few shops and an airport. The harbour has unlimited good places to anchor. There are more than 300 boats here this week and it is not crowded. I am at the south end, and in the morning before daylight the anchor lights look like Christmas. Of course, when you get that many creative people together things get organized. Every morning there is a VHF radio net discussing what is going on. This weekend there is a cruising catamaran regatta, and beach golf, colored balls of course, and all played in the sand. Of course yoga. Yesterday there was a gathering on the beach where a presentation was given by an experienced emergency medicine person on boating medical emergencies. There were about 100 people crowded around. If you want to be fully involved in the cruising community this is the place. Of course there are old friends, the only ones I have found so far are Christine and Peter Watson aboard their Pacific Seacraft "Mytyfyne" from Little Washington. Of course there are new friends every day.
But not is all perfect in George Town. We are close enough to the US mainland that the weather in the US gets here too. I was comfortably swimming my first day here with water and air temperture in the low 80's. but a cold front passed, we are still having strong north wind, and both the air and water measure 74 degrees, too cool for me to swim. This morning was the first time I have been cool enough for a long sleeve shirt since long ago. Some people don't enjoy George Town with all the socializing and organizing. For others it is just what they want. But it is easy and fun to get here, and you gotta come just to know what everybody talks about.
I have so far found one OCC boat here, a Trawler. I dropped by to say hello and ended up staying until after dark. These folks are from Maine and had put 70,000 miles on their sailboat before selling it last year and buying the trawler. Age was catching up with them. I left my bottle of Goslings Black Seal on their boat last night, which insures that I will be back with them this afternoon.
For those not wanting to join in the beach vollyball there are hiking trails. I did one yesterday. Good trail. Through several kinds of maritime flora, through a marsh and over the limestone ridge to the ocean side. Think I will go do another this afternoon.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II