Nassau - Leaving Boat @ Christmas

[rleslie]

We hope to be in the Exumas by early December and want to return home for Christmas. We are looking for a safe place to leave the boat for a week in or near Nassau. Does anyone have suggestions?

Thanks
Roger

[Vasco]

Harbour Club Marina, not too big, fairly good security and Peter, the manager is very accomodating. You should reserve as it gets pretty busy at that time as many cruisers cross around Christmas.

[Vasco]

Actually, on second thought you'd be better leaving the boat in Sampson Cay marina and fly out of Staniel Cay. That way you can stay in the Exumas and forget about Nassau.

[rleslie]

Rick

Thanks for the names. U.S. Air doesn't show flights from Staniel Cay. Any idea what airlines fly from there to the US or do we take an Island Hopper to Nassau?

[Vasco]

Roger,

Here's a link to the flights. You can fly to Ft. Lauderdale or nassau from Staniel.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club - Exumas, Bahamas

[GordMay]

I can also recommend ANCHORING or MOORING @ Staniel Cay, Exuma (NOT the Yacht Club Dock).
(240 10.67' N x 760 26.69' W, about half way between Nassau & Georgetown)
There are 3 or 4 pilots /w airplanes on the Island.
Contact “DJ” Solomon Robinson or Don Rolle at Club Thunderball.
Sol Robinson at Tel: (242) 357-0286 ~or~ 355-2012
Don Rolle at Tel: (242) 355-2060 ~or~ 355-2032

[Sunspot Baby]

Call the BASRA couple on New Providence Nick and Caroline by radio. They are at Coral Harbor on the south side of the island and frequently arrange to keep boats there for a period of time. I know it is not Exumas but is not far and they do a great job. Salt of the earth folks.

I really respect Gord, he gives so much wonderful advice and information but in this case I must disagree. Don't leave a boat at Staniel. Any strong wind from the west makes that marina unsafe. They usually send boats out when a wind is expected.

There are a couple of good places to moor in the holes on Stocking Island at George Town Great Exuma, but by December they may be hard to get.

There is a boat yard at George Town that can haul your boat and store it on the hard. No trouble getting in there.

George

[GordMay]

George is right, the SCYC docks are unsafe in westerlies. My recommendation was confined to anchoring.

[phorvati]

I believe morrings in hole#2 and #3 were about 10$/day in april. That is an all around protection if you can bring the boat in due to draft. American airlines flies from georgetown. Cab will run you about $25.

Petar

[Vasco]

The problem with the moorings in the holes is that your boat is unattended even though the owner of the mooring might say he will look after your boat. I left my boat in hole 3 many years ago and the line was chafed through when I got back. Luckily I had shackled my anchor chain to the engine block on the bottom before I left as insurance. The situation has not changed as a friend of mine who left his boat last year came back to a flooded boat which ruined his engine. If you do leave your boat in GT I would recommend the new marina at Emerald Bay.

[rleslie]

Thanks again!!! We have decided, based on time and the cost/availability of flights, to limit our search to areas near Nassau. We will cross from Miami to Bimini to Chub Cay. When we return to the boat, we will slooooowly head down the chain to Georgetown.

Roger