Thompson Bay, Long Island

February, 25 2013

Yesterday (2/24) we traveled across Exuma Sound to Long Island (no not the one in New York) and then about half-way down the west coast to Thompson Bay.  Exuma Sound, although loosely defined by the outer islands of Long, Cat, and Eleuthera, is a deep water passage worthy of respect.  The fact that the trip is basically east, right into the prevailing east-southeast winds, adds to the complexity of the crossing. 

We waited in Emerald Bay until the forecast offered winds shifting to the south, which pretty much held true.  We departed around 6:30 AM for the fairly long day-trip. Early on, the winds had not clocked as far south as we would have liked, but they did offer a good motor sail at 30 degrees apparent for about 20 miles of the 30 mile crossing at which point we got a good close-hauled sail until we reached northern Long Island.  After turning south to head down the coast to Thompson Bay  we returned to motor-sailing.  We arrived a little after 4:00 PM after covering about 54 miles.

This location marks the southern-most point of this year's trip at around 23 degrees 20 minutes north.  This is the farthest south we have sailed in our own boat (we have sailed on charter boats in the Virgin Islands which lie farther south).   

After staying here for around a week and hopefully extending the 100-day stay immigration granted us when we cleared in Bimini, we will travel north along the islands forming Exuma Sound.   We also hope to travel to Rum Cay, an island that lies about 30 miles east of the northern tip of Long Island where historians mark Columbus' first landfall in the new world.


Tom
Anchored Thompson Bay
Long Island, Bahamas
Map of Cruise 2012-13