Thursday 03 March - Hatchet Bay

Thursday 03 March - Hatchet Bay
Governors Harbour was calm, smooth, slick, glassy slick calm. Not a ripple. With the wind clocking all over the place in the next few days I did not particularly want to sit in Governors Harbour. I looked at the 6 horsepower dinghy motor, and wondered how fast it would push Advent. Back in South Side Marina I had built an outboard motor bracket for Advent's stern, but had never tried it out. It took an hour or so ti rig pulleys and lines to lift the motor and swing it over to the bracket, but it fit, I cranked up the motor, and picked up the anchor. Out in the open water, with smooth seas and no wind it would go 3.0 knots. I was really pleased. Five hours later I passed through the narrow rocky pass into Hatchett Bay. The little motor was a success.
Thursday morning - Hatchet Bay
I was set up to stay here for a few days until the weather settled down, but the
gribs and CPS (Chris Parker Says) agreed that I have a chance today to make another step, that is, using the little motor. Very light winds today, starting from the east, and clocking around to the south, into the west tomorrow. It is about 75 miles to the Abacos, the northern most Bahamas island. At 2.5 knots I can do an overnighter and be there tomorrow. I cranked up the motor, and picked up the anchor, and out the narrow rocky pass.
There is one trick to this plan. In 15 miles I need to go through Current Cut. Note in the guide book: "Check the tides. Strong Currents. A sailboat or trawler may have difficulty." The low tide is at 09:54, but "The tide here usually follows Nassau by 1 to 2 hours." I can go out with the ebb, but can not go out during the flood. I have to get there before the current reverses sometime between 11:00 and 12:00. At my present boat speed I will get there at 12:00, but the wind is supposed to pick up, and that will give me a boost.
10:00 - The wind has picked up and given me an extra 1/2 knot. I might make it.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Adventtwo.blogspot.com