Log Book: March 21st-22nd

Conditions: 5-10 knots
Location: Guana Cay

We finally made it out of Man-O-War. We hauled the boat and had the bearing replaced within the hour. The boat launch was not your typical crane but a marina railway instead. Dad told me to 'take a picture, you may never see this again.' The Tartan was pulled next to the dock while a sliding wooden frame sank into the water beneath it. Blocks built into the frame were then slid under the boat hull to support it. Then slowly a cable pulled the frame, boat included, up the railway that rose out of the water. It was a relief to finally have confidence in the engine again, we wouldn't need to worry that we would get stuck in the Bahamas. However, when we got the engine running again there was still a slight rumble around the idle. Dad and I didn't talk about it, hoping that all our pain would go away by itself but one must always be skeptical when boat problems fix themselves. That same day we left the mooring field and made it to... just outside of the harbor where eight other boats were anchored. It still felt good though to finally leave. The next morning we set sail for Guana Cay. The cruisers net, the radio show that tells all the events of the Abacos, had advertised a concert at a bar called Nippers at Guana. The band The Barefoot Man would be playing. After living the quiet life on Man-O-War for over a week Dad and I decided a concert was exactly what we needed but boy we had no idea what we were in for. We got to Guana at around one in the afternoon. There was no need to ask when or where the party started. We could her the roar of people from the boat and when we pulled the dingy up onto the beach we simply followed the sound of the music. Nippers was unlike any bar I have ever been to. They had two swimming pools, multiple decks where you could perch and people watch, an outdoor bar, and a steep staircase that led down the dunes and onto the beach. The place was crowded and would remind you of an MTV spring break party, except with senior citizens. There were Lily Pulitzer clad grandmas on the dance floor. Soccer moms were on the decks doing outrageous things to get Mardi Gras beads thrown at them. The Guinness world record holder woman with the smallest waist was wearing a leopard print one piece jump suit and flitting around the bar. There was an excessive amount of plastic parts walking about in teeny weeny bikinis, while some were the usual most consisted of hip and knee replacements. I felt like the most conservative, sheltered, New Englander ever but that didn't stop me from having a good time. Dad and I met half the bar and even found the minority of younger people, although they were still closer to thirty than to twenty. Before we knew it Dad and I were watching the sunset. We had enough fun to last us a week. The band played great music, we danced, and met some really wonderful people. We only came to Guana to have a good time, mission accomplished, so tomorrow we plan on sailing to Fowl Cay to go snorkeling and relaxing then sailing to Marsh Harbour to spend the night.