Cleaning up with fresh water at the docks. (c) Copyright 2009
We are in the first couple weeks of January 2009, and planning to leave the boat in George Town Bahamas for a couple of months. We will fly home go back to work and school for a little while, and then back in March Break for a couple of weeks. The plan was to leave the boat on this dock at the Exuma Docking Service dock in George Town, at a cost of about $1,000 per month. Read on down to see what we actually ended up doing. But for now, the job at hand was to clean everything with fresh water. At a cost of about 10 cents per liter we had to be careful about the water usage. Washing the boat at home we just ran the hose all we wanted. Here we filled a bucket with soapy water, and then from there applied it with a brush. We hosed the whole boat down carefully with fresh water, and then using a stainless steal cleaning product to remove any apparent start of rust, and oxidization. This product would also coat the stainless steal, and protected from the salt water. As you can see we also cleaned everything and anything that ever had contact with salt water.
Power Boat behind us operates a Christian Mission out of it. (c) Copyright 2009
These were some of the other boats docked with us at the Town dock at George Town. We used this opportunity to do all the laundry and clean up the boat for an extended leave. The boat behind us here, was used as a base for a Christian mission. The owner was a self funded missionary, and did lots of good work to spread the good news of Christ in the Bahamas.
Anchored in front of George Town near Exuma Docking Service Marina. (c) Copyright 2009
- Boat heeling at the docks in extremely low tide. (c) Copyright 2009
At low tide the boat was sitting on it’s keel. This does not harm the boat, but it is uncomfortable. However, there is a danger of the boat scraping against the dock, and getting all scratched up and damage. The tide goes up and down every 6 hours. Can you imagine leaving the boat here unattended for 2 months. The port side would have been a mess by the time we got back. I had to get up in the middle of the night and make sure the fenders were positioned properly, and the docket lines were set up properly. Also the docks are open to public accesses. I have been told, I would have to worry about the boat being vandalized or items stolen. We decided to leave the boat elsewhere, look for the next post to see where.
Another view of our heel at the docks in low tide. (c) Copyright 2009
My next post will be exactly about where we ended up, but I have not had the time to update my blog for awhile…We’ve had a few readers ask this question, so the answer is below.
Basically right across the bay from George Town, on Stocking Island, there is a place called St. Francis.
Its a small private resort. They run the hurriacane hole right out front of their place. They charge about $300 to $350 per month for you to leave your boat on their moorings. I left my brand new Jeanneau there for 3 months, and felt very safe about it. It is protected from all sides from wind and waves. Only one way in and out, and with a keel of over 6 feet, you can only get in at high tide. This made me more secure about some one trying to make off with my boat. Also they keep an eye on it for you, and can see it from their restaurant.
Before this trip, I was worried about leaving my boat on a mooring ball, thinking it was safer at a dock. Now I would only leave my boat on a mooring ball, but in a secure and safe location like St. Francis that I recommended.
Even though some marinas might be safe, the boat will still ride up and down on the dock in tides, and no one will really care if your fender shifted and your boat is getting all scratched up. Also is the dock protected from wind and waves on all sides? The St. Francis hurrican hole is hurrican rated. Only one way in and out, and the owners are always watching the boats. The only thing I would ask is that the mooring line is checked. For me they put on a brand new mooring line. You can dive on it and check it for your own security if you wish.
