SV Cheshire Cat Forum - Start Date May 2026

A good webinar for transiting the Panama canal is at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m7nu55D_ok

For a quick route to Panama from the Bahamas, take the Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti.
But, the further south you go, like to Grenada, the more you will have the wind at your back for a downhill run to Panama.

HawaiianSlingAndPoleSpear.jpg
While Hawaiian Slings are generally more powerful and offer greater range, the spear is not attached to the user and a poor shot could result in losing the spear.
Pole Spears are generally easier to use and easier to reload. You can pre-cock your spear, approach the ...

A good link to describe the antenna needed for a VHF AIS system is:
https://www.milltechmarine.com/VHF-Ante ... _b_32.html

Mount the antenna as high as possible (at least 2-3 meters (6-10 ft) above the water surface) and as far as practical from any existing VHF, HF or radar antennas and any metal ...

I should buy a transceiver (transponder) - one that both receives and transmits. The transmit capability is more expensive, but probably worth it in the long run. Especially for foggy ports, so large ocean-going ships can see me.
It needs to have an internal antenna splitter so I can use only one ...

A good write-up of the Ragged Islands is:
https://mvprivateer.com/?p=1148#comment-6376

The Ragged Islands and Jumentos provide beautiful scenery, mostly untouched nature and room to stretch out and enjoy the solitude of private anchorages. And you can always find a friendly bunch of experienced ...

The Navionics charts are not very good. This is true for all the Bahamas.
The best charts are the Explorer charts. You can buy the books or there is also an on-line version. The on-line version integrates with an App called AquaMaps, which is a free download for Android and then you can buy charts ...

Right now, we plan on mostly just using Eleuthera as a transit spot on the way to the Exumas.

From Abaco, head south to Current Cut at Eleuthera to enter Exuma Sound. Then on down to Governors Harbor. This is a good place for provisioning. Then to Schooner Cays, a small remote island to the ...

We will approach the Abaco islands from the southern tip of the Berry Islands, near Chub Cay. Sail around the southern tip of the Abaco islands and around the outer edge of the Abaco coral reef. There is a cut at Little Harbor where you can enter into the Sea of Abaco, but it is somewhat narrow with ...

From the Bullocks Harbor settlement at Great Harbor Cay, go north around Little Stirrup Cay, then to-be-determined anchorages sailing south down the Berry Island chain. There are many anchorages along the Berry Island chain. Hoffman Cay, which contains a Blue Hole, is worth visiting. The entry point ...