While growing up in South Africa, the biggest ‘thing’ in yacht racing was the annual ‘Cape to Rio’ race – an epic Atlantic crossing in some of the most treacherous waters in the world between Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro. The only other exposure to sailing was at a very small, local lake where little dinghies competed ‘around the cans on Sundays. As little boys, we watched these floating ‘prams’ gliding across the water from one end to the other while we were trying to catch fish.
Somewhere among rugby, cricket, tennis and every other popular sport, a seed was planted. The fascination of being powered by the forces of nature conjured dreams of crossing distant horizons – noise-free, self-reliant and free. So it was no wonder that the first savings after graduation did not go into a new car, but a little sailboat. Hence started a lifelong journey to be on the water with just a hull and a sail.
Fast forward 20 years and several coastal, offshore and charter sailing courses later, a dream came true. The dream to step on board, plot a course and take off after that illusive horizon. We poured over sailing magazines and checked out every charter website to ultimately settle on ‘The Moorings’ – a reputable charter company with bases across the world and boats made in South Africa. Destination: The Abacos Islands, Bahamas!
The Bahama Abacos are a group of islands and cays that form a 120-mile–long chain stretching over 650 square miles. The coastlines are scalloped with bays, coves and protected harbors. Great Abaco Island and Little Abaco serve as the “mainland.” Marsh Harbour has a lively downtown area with all city amenities. Treasure Cay boasts miles of pristine beaches and rated one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Elbow Cay and Green Turtle Cay are old English loyalist settlements, where you’ll find beautifully preserved colonial architecture with a touch of Bahamian pastels, of course. Guana Cay is famous for their Sunday barbecues atop the island’s tall sand dune which overlooks a magnificent 7-mile long beach.
So imagine getting on a 47-foot catamaran with four staterooms and a big living area. The Leopard catamaran is made in South Africa specifically for chartering and is a sturdy – and forgiving – sailboat. Driven by two 30 horsepower outboard engines, ‘sailing’ is not really needed to get anywhere. So every morning after listening to the local boating radio station, we selected a destination and lifted anchor. With a little dingy tied up behind, the anchor was dropped on a whim to explore little atolls, reefs and deserted islands between sunrise and sunset.
For one week, time blurred. Nature became real. The soul became silent and spirit lifted in an area that could have been paradise. Drop anchor when you wanted, eat where you were and live primitively, yet comfortably.
We opted to have the boat stocked with groceries and food from a very comprehensive list of options by the charter company. This allowed only one visit to a marina to refuel. The BBQ on the back of the boat became a nightly staple. We opted for a restaurant stop every three nights. This family vacation with the Cordier’s and Vivier’s cemented lasting memories.
If you can’t sail, charter a captain and crew with your boat, but put this experience on the bucket list!
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