Exumas Breached

Team Island Spirit sails close hauled into the Exumas

We have declared TODAY, Feb 13, 2013, the BEST DAY OF SAILING, since we left Rock Hall, MD, in September! At 0640, we left West Bay, New Providence, Bahamas, rounded the coral reef and turned onto a course of 120 for 45 miles to Highbourne Cay in the Exumas. Our weather router, Chris Parker, called for winds of 15-18 knots, from a direction of 160-180, so this was a close hauled course for 8+ hours.

Team Island Spirit LOVES TO SAIL UPWIND, so today was a real treat. Jeff, our great crew, sailed with Hayden, while Radeen enjoyed reading below. We love to see Radeen, our librarian, get her reading in. as usually she is too busy to read. With Jeff on board, she could relax and read all day long.....this was a real treat for Radeen....it was also a real treat for Hayden and Jeff because they love to trim sails and sail upwind!

Sailing upwind in BLUE WATER

So, we navigated the Yellow Bank and the White Bank and looked for coral heads as we sailed east. Eventually we passed into the clear waters beyond these banks and sailed on toward Highbourne Cay. As we approached the cay, we passed 7SEAS, Steven Spielberg's motor yacht that we had seen in Fort Lauderdale in December and then we moved into the anchorage. The first task was washing the salt spray off the entire boat and cockpit and then we enjoyed cocktails and snacks. Radeen spoiled us with a great dinner of smoked pork and seared potatoes and salad along with red wine. Life is amazingly wonderful aboard a cruising boat....

Radeen off watch and reading book 1 of 2 for the day

Jeff working hard as we sail upwind on autopilot

Steven Spielberg's yacht 7SEAS is anchored next to us off Highborne Cay

Mark Cuban's Yacht FOUNTAIN HEAD anchored off New Providence as we sailed out

Hayden looking out at the beautiful water

Thank you TAMMY....we opened my Christmas gift today
and enjoyed many interesting flavor combinations! 

Now we have reached the EXUMAS ! We will blast south to George Town before the next front arrives Saturday night into Sunday morning. We will then spend time in GT and from there we will explore south. Life is great aboard a cruising sailboat.....thanks so much for following along...

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