Travels with Polar Pacer: I'm Back

I’m Back – Mid January 2013

OK already. It has been a long time since my last entry. Sometimes retirement life gets in the way of writing.

Yes, Polar Pacer is still out and about and the adventure continues.

We have just cleared into the Bahamas for the fourth time after a rather bumpy ride across the Gulf Stream from the Florida Keys. We left from the northern end of Key Largo via Angelfish Creek and pointed our bows east towards Bimini. The plan was to get close to Bimini, turn north, round North Rock and turn southeast across the banks to Bullocks Harbour in the Berry Islands. We expected the trip to take around 24 hours.

One of several protected side creeks off of Angelfish where it is possible to stage for a nighttime departure. We stayed at Pumpkin Key and left early in the afternoon.

After several hours of being uncomfortable with little chance of the conditions changing in our favor we modified the plan and Sunrise Marina at Lucaya became our new destination. We had had a pleasant experience there two years ago and were not disappointed this time either. Dockage rates are $1.00 per foot (less 20% with proof of Boat US membership) with nominal charges for water and electricity. There are a Batelco office and grocery store within walking distance and taxis are available to take you into the cruise ship area of Lucaya.

We were greeted on arrival by Bumble Bee, another Prout Snowgoose that we had recently made acquaintances with.

www.sunriseresortandmarina.com

After conch fritters and a cheeseburger washed down with Sands beer (a bargain at 2 for $5.00) we wandered through the maze of straw market stalls and souvenir shops of the Port Lucaya Marketplace. With no cruise ships in the harbour the place was almost deserted. Of course a ten degree drop in temperature from the previous day didn’t help much either.

The unique paintings in a small art gallery caught my eye through the window. Inside we met the artist, Leo Brown, self-proclaimed “Impressionist of the Bahamas”. Leo was eager to talk about his technique of applying thick slashes of paint to his canvas with a knife. He gave us his polished patter explaining the symbolism in his series of uniquely Bahamian scenes representing the different forms of energy and the limitless possibilities of what women can accomplish. He was apparently ‘discovered’ by some millionaire who recognized that he had talent and offered to pay for him to attend he choice of art schools. I would love to be an owner of any one of his original works but the $6000 price range just does not fit the budget.

www.bahamasvacationguide.com/leobrown

Ready and waiting for the next cruise ship arrival.

With a late start to the season we are anxious to get to the Exumas soon and hope to be at Little Farmers for the 5F Festival. Our stay in Lucaya will be a short one.

Considering the amount of water that we took over the bows we felt lucky to have only discovered two minor leaks. One from the front window over my feet when I sleep and one around the new bow locker hatch where the reefing line jammed under the lip of the hatch and must have lifted it slightly. Both leaks needed to be repaired before we head out for another overnight trip.

Tom’s solution to the reefing line problem. He manufactured the bracket holding the block to the stanchion manufactured from a piece of stainless that he obtained from the boatyard next door.

We discovered that the leak over my feet was due to our new (fall 2011) front windows were starting to pull away from the hull at one corner. The only short term solution was to drill some holes and put in a few screws then apply a liberal coat of sicoflex to the leak area. Sicoflex has a short shelf life and fortunately the special order tube (most places do not keep it in stock) on board was still good.