Bahamian Beachcruising

Chartering a Sea Pearl 21 in the Exumas

- Rachel Doss

Steady easterly winds, warm rain clouds in the distance, and crystal-clear blue waters set an idyllic scene for that first day of our sailing adventure. Amy, Kate, and I planned to sail, camp and explore the mostly-uninhabited Exuma Islands for the next nine days. The idea for this trip began the previous year, when I had a powerful urge to quit my job and sail around the world. Reigning-in this desire, I came up with a more realistic and immediate plan: a sailing trip in the Bahamas. At that time, I had no boat of my own and considered myself a novice sailor. My only experience was lake sailing on small boats with my dad. In preparation for this dream adventure, I took an American Sailing Association Basic Keelboat course in Kemah, Texas, on Galveston Bay. Kate and Amy had minimal sailing experience but were adventurous spirits eager for a unique experience.

A company called Out-Island Explorers, based in Georgetown, Great Exuma, Bahamas—just over 300 air miles southeast of Miami—rents sailboats and camping gear for a reasonable price. Dallas, an owner of the company, gave us a quick introduction to our boat, a 21-foot Sea Pearl named Feather, and all of the gear. He also provided a detailed chartbook of the Exumas, and we excitedly mapped an itinerary on that first day. Dallas said there were many private islands in the Exumas and to avoid landing on them. Our planned endpoint was Staniel Cay, about 50 miles north, and from there we planned to have a tow back to Great Exuma Island.

We began packing nine days worth of gear into