We were at some remote locations and not getting an engine started could be a disaster. We struggled to get started one day at Man-O-War Cay which is a populated island but even that would have been a bad situation expense and service skills wise.
We started our cruise at Old Bahama Bay Marina after crossing the Gulf Stream. From there we went to Great Sale Cay. That's an uninhabited island with some decent wind protection. Nowhere to go ashore and nothing to see except dense mangrove. Next stop was Strangers Cay. Even more isolated. We did not see a boat or any people for more that two days. Crystal clear water. Electric colors. Stunningly beautiful. Got on the island easily to walk the Atlantic side and Sea of Abaco side beaches. Swimming, bathing, re-enacting a movie scene, all fun activities.
After two nights there we went to Allens-Pensacola Cay. Two cays joined by a hurricane 10 or 20 years ago. Also uninhabited but plenty of people on boats around. At least 6. This island features a covered platform the natives occasionally use for shelter when they are on a fishing trip. There is also a sign tree. This is where cruisers hang signs or other stuff with their vessels name, crew, date there info, etc. We didn't contribute to the litter.
Next stop... Green Turtle Cay. Civilization. Big city. Okay, may be 200 people. But it had shops and groceries and museums and more. All crammed into an area about the size of a Wal-Mart. Friendly people, too.
From here we went over to Manjack Cay. This island has a good number of private homes owned by foreign nationals. Mostly from the US or Canada. But other countries were represented. Very friendly people who let cruisers wander their trails. A couple of them also host a party on the beach every full moon. Cruisers bring food, drink and musical instruments and the party goes on. A good time for all.
Then onto Great Guana Cay after a passage through the 'Whale'. To get into the Hub of Abaco you have to briefly go out into the Atlantic. These passes are subject to 'Rages' that can make them impassable and very dangerous. Like crossing the 'Stream' you have to wait for the proper window. Guana Cay is a small island that has one famous spot. Nippers. A beach bar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Very popular. It was very nice but I'm not really into bars no matter how nice the location.
Only one night there due to incoming weather so we went to Marsh Harbor. That's a large but totally protected harbor. Third most populatd area in the Bahamas. It has lots of choices for groceries and booze and parties. We stayed there for four days as a nasty storm blew. Met some people we knew previously and also made new friends. Other than that, not much to recommend. Too big to be friendly or personal.
Next stop was Man-O-War Cay. A nice mix of natives and foreigners with two protected harbors. Here our battery problems got worse and we were lucky to get an engine started. This made us consider our options. The weather forecast four days away was not looking good. We decided to cut short our trip. We headed back to Green Turtle. Then to Great Sale (a very long trip) and from there, a very, very very, long trip across the Stream to Fort Pierce, FL.
This was not as easy as our passage to the Bahamas but not awful. Middle two or three hours, while in the Gulf Stream) were a little bouncy but, again, not terrible or dangerous.
Now were back in the US to spend big bucks on 9 batteries. Big bucks but maybe a third of what it would have cost in the Bahamas. Here is an example: Diesel price in Marathon, a high price area: about $4 a gallon. Diesel price in the Bahamas: about $6 a gallon. In the US we paid as little as $3.50 and as much as $3.90.
So this cruise was a 'check it out' crusie. Learned a lot for future trips over there. May be next year we'll skip the Florida Keys and spend more time in the Bahamian Cays. By the way... Keys and Cays are pronounced the same way. Go figure.
