After a few hops down the coast, and seeing a rocket launch offshore from Cape Canaveral, we have two words to live by now: Weather Window. That’s weather for allowing us across the Gulf Stream. Any wind containing a northerly component is a no-no, as folks from our home town of Newburyport will attest that wind against current makes BIG waves!

After dealing with boisterous waviness coming into Ft Pierce, we hopefully contemplated a much-wanted visit with friends, who have for years now, been graciously inviting us to stay at their comfortable home on the ICW in Pompano Beach. But once in West Palm area, we honestly tried to find a window for that 35 mile jump south to the next inlet. Not very far per Fayaway standards, but simply dealing with heavy adverse winds, made for a more complicated matter nonetheless. Sorry guys, we’ll need a rain check and look forward to the next opportunity.

From our anchor in Lake Worth, a simple dinghy ride to the public dock at West Palm Harbor was an exercise in donning “foulies” and pounding into wind-driven chop coming over Korykory’s meager bow. Our primary focus was provisioning, and we managed to decently stock up in anticipation for minuscule grocery options in more remote tropical paradise. We loaded up despite the soaking salt spray.

While we waited out the strong winds, we took an opportunity to visit West Palm Beach, and are impressed with the vibrant community. We met the friendly dockmaster Dave, who was very helpful with advice. Just off the dock, we found an info-kiosk, where an enthusiastic woman raved about the “food tours”. So we signed up for one, and… Wow, we’d definitely recommend.

Eventually, a slew of boats decided it was time for crossings, and we departed en masse, from the Lake Worth inlet. We left earlier before slack tide, thinking to beat the vessel onslaught, but no deal; there was plenty of company!

We motorsailed well into the evening, against moderate southern winds and chop across The Stream, north of Great Isaac and eventually reaching (close-hauled) reefed, all the way down the north side of Great Harbour Cay, in the Berrys. We dropped the hook just off the beach in crystalline water onto a white sandy bottom. A bit rough for catching up on rest that first night, as a northerly swell entered the bay. But calmness and serenity arrived the next day as that crazy wind swept around to the south side of the Cay.

Clearing-in at Great Harbour Cay was a complete cluster… The overwhelmed marina staff made a general VHF call asking for folks to be patient, as the Customs and Immigration officers were completely swamped. Having waited into mid-afternoon, I made the combined dinghy-walking trek across to find a line remaining. But having been through this ordeal before, so common in the islands, I patiently waited, smiled and offered my condolences and understanding for what these hard-working officials were trying to accomplish. A mild joke or two helped grease wheels, conjure a chuckle and calm spirits. People complaining, waving paperwork and generally showing rudeness were simply asked to wait longer.

Many of us recounted the experiences at a cruisers potluck beach party later around twilight. Seemed like for many in that enthusiastic group it was an introductory experience.

After sunset the following evening we flicked on our nav lights and motored out into the deep, making a beeline south, heading just east of Nassau. Squalls passed, and diminishing winds clocked more westerly around midnight as we set our bow toward the narrow passage, slowing our speed to a crawl, such to arrive after sunrise.

Onward we sailed a the warmer and cresting sun, arriving at Shroud Cay in late afternoon. Being lazy, we grabbed an available mooring, so to spend a leisurely evening and mostly to enjoy a restful Kelly’s birthday tomorrow.

Now I write this post, at anchor in the lee of Big Major Cay. Tonight the wind is anticipated to start howling, with gale force gusts in the 30 knots range throughout the weekend, and continuing until Tuesday morning. We again must acclimate to shallow depths: 1.9 meters (that’s little more than 6 feet; Fayaway’s draft is about 1.7). Not much under the keel!

Most of the world’s charts are in meters, including Bahamas, so we’ve calibrated our instruments for meters to avoid conversion.