Tuesday motorsail . 1/28

We set out at 7 am for our next stop about 30 NM further west. We were aided by the wind though it was mostly too much on our stern. We had to use the engine to maintain a 4 knot average the entire 30 NM. Our destination was on the south side of a Cayo. We had to negotiate a poorly marked pass through the reef. Our sails were furled as we approached the pass. It was a stressful couple of hours of slowly motoring before finally anchoring south of the Cayo. I was on the bow looking out for swallowing water but surface chop and sun glare made that somewhat worthless. Our depth sounder indicated one area with just a foot under the 6' draft of the fin keel.

At this particular Cayo you are supposed to deploy your dinghy and the captain is to go to the dock and pick up and bring the guarda out to your boat for check-in as they have no boat. This Cayo also has a small resort on the 2 mile beach on the north shore of the Cayo. The dock is not available for visiting boats other than dinghies as it is used by a ferry to the mainland for resort guests and several resort dive boats.

Captain ended up going to the dock 4 times. First he was told to return at 6. He went back 5 minutes early but was told he could not wait but to return at 6?? He returned at 6:15 but still no guarda officer had returned from the mainland? At 6:50 pm we saw the ferry return as we were eating dinner, assuming we would now wait until morning. The guarda called on the radio and a 4th trip to the dock was successful and we are now cleared to leave the vessel. The guarda was a friendly fellow and enjoyed showing us photos of his 2.5 y.o. son and 14 y.o. daughter and his wife on his LG phone.

The guarda mentioned another cold front is approaching so we plan to be here the next 2 days and continue west at 7 am Friday, January 31.