Great Sailing!

The Caribbean 1500 Bahamas Class departed Hampton, VA bound for Marsh Harbour, in the Abacos --- an 800 mile passage. The first running of Caribbean 1500 Bahamas Class definitely delivered on its promise to match the rest of the Caribbean 1500’s spirit of adventure, camaraderie, and fun. 

Corrina Corrina, a Mason 43 with six aboard, sailed out of Hampton Roads in boisterous conditions. It was a dreary November day on the Bay, with winds in the 20’s, cool temperatures and a steady drizzle falling on the fleet. We were eager to take advantage of what Commanders’ Weather correctly forecast as one of the few weather windows between the cascade of low pressure systems storming off the East Coast. 

The Gulf Stream briefing proved valuable, as we spent only 50 miles and about 10 hours in the current, which. Rounding notorious Cape Hatteras in the fall can be a daunting task, but the Gulf Stream briefings gave us a boost of confidence.  After about 24 hours offshore, we turned south with Sweetest Thing, a 48-foot Fountaine Pajot Salina catamaran, leaving the Caribbean 1500 fleet to sail southeast to Tortola.

The Bahamas Class boats remained in radio contact with the larger Caribbean 1500 fleet, checking in twice daily on the SSB schedules to listen to weather updates, position reports, and fish stories. We carried satellite transponders so our family and friends at home could track our progress. The weather changed once we crossed the Gulf Stream into warmer waters, allowing our crew to remove several layers of clothing and enjoy the sunshine. We sailed downwind in 15-20 knots, and with a gentle following sea, managing to keep the decks dry for most of the trip. Corinna Corinna’s owner Clay Jones and his son Chad took advantage of the conditions to relax on the bow with a guitar and harmonica, providing the soundtrack to a wonderful sail. 

We made landfall on the fifth day, arriving at the northern end of the Abacos. We turned southeast to the cut at the northern entrance of Man-O-War Channel. The north entrance, used by local fisherman and small inter-island freighters, is reputed to be the safest entrance in the Abacos. We ran in under staysail and triple-reefed main, making seven knots.  Once clear of the breakers we sailed on an absolutely flat sea inside the reef, making our way to the picturesque inner anchorage at Marsh Harbour, dropping anchor as the sun set and toasting a job well done.