Scott here. Believe it or not our plans changed! We decided to move out of Prime Cay. Not because the anchorage was bad, a few days more would have been good. But, with the forecasted wind we decided to move for 21st century reasons. The cell signal and internet signal were really bad! And I wanted to be able to watch the weather forecasts and Rita had to stand in weird places to be able to talk with the kids. So, we decided to head out.

Our initial thought was just to go to Little Farmers Cay. But as we researched the anchorages a little more, especially for this blow that is coming, the one anchorage Rita liked I didn’t. And the anchorages I liked Rita didn’t. That just means we starting researching our way north. I have wanted to stop at Black Point Settlement, and it is only 11 miles north. (Only 11 miles! That is over an hour! LOL) We found two anchorages we both liked, so a decision was made!

We want to leave as close to high tide as possible. High tide was going to be around 3:30 am. Nope! That’s too early! Jazzy goes for her walk at first light, and we will take off shortly after. Plan made. Now it’s just execution.

First, I have to backtrack. I realized (really Rita told me) I didn’t explain what a couple of pieces of equipment are as I was explaining stuff in a previous post. 

What is a bridle?

Basically, it is two pieces of line (or rope, remember on a boat, a rope is called a line, until it is off the boat then the line becomes a rope again) that merge into one. Each end of the line is attached to a bow cleat, one on the port side and one on the starboard side. Then the third end is attached to the anchor rode (remember the anchor rode is made up of the anchor, anchor chain, and anchor line attached to the chain then the boat.) I use the snubber pendant to attach to the anchor rode then to the bridle. Using this system gives us more stability in the water. The anchor rode is then loosened so all the pressure is on the two cleats and not the anchor windlass (the electronics that pull the anchor up from the sea bottom.) I then tie the anchor rode on the center cleat in case we have a failure with the bridle system.

What is a bow roller?

For us our bow roller sticks out in front of the boat maybe 2′. It really helps prevent the anchor from hitting the boat when pulling it out of the water, and guides the line as we pull it back in. That’s it.

Initial Plan
Date: January 20, 2024
Nebo Link: Click here
Crew: Captain Scott, 1st Mate Rita, & K9 Jazzy
Start at: 7:00 am
End at: 10:30 am
Total Time: 3:30 hours (2:58 actual travel time plus time for idle speed and getting set)
Distance: 26.8 miles
Avg. Speed: mph
Max Speed: mph

Hazards for the day
Watch for shallow water