We were ready to leave Cape Eleuthera although we really enjoyed our time and the boaters we met there. The rains were gone and the wind, though still brisk, seemed better and was predicted to drop through the day and have more easterly component for sailing north along the island of Eleuthera.
We parted with friends and Jermaine helped us leave the slip and we started out around the cape into the Davis channel. It was a little choppy but we were doing fine until we exited the channel and the seas on the bank were 3-4 feet and we could not sail but had to motor into them. We headed closer to shore, hoping to find calmer seas and a better wind angle.
Our engine was working hard against the wind and waves and our fresh water rinse was getting covered in salt again. Finally we got a better wind angle and were able to sail on a close reach, sometimes pinching, but there was enough wind to keep us going. We made headway up the island with a reefed main and genoa and were able to rest the engine.
We did not want to stop too far south and lose our ability to get through Current Cut tomorrow at high slack tide. We thought about stopping at Governor’s Harbour but decided to continue on to another bay that was more quiet and secluded but offered good northeast protection.
Alabaster Bay was near the airport but the flights were finished when we arrived at Alabaster Bay in the early evening. It was beautiful there and there were places to be explored but we were tired from the passage. We relaxed on the boat. Early start tomorrow for Current Cut.
Lovely beach at Alabaster Bay