Editor’s note: all photos are from the Parker’s time on Chub Cay and of the club there.
December 8, 2014: Chub Cay
Hoisted anchor and headed east in the Northwest channel on a course to Nassau on New Providence Island, 35NM away, wind around 10 knots swell ENE, on our beam 3 to 5 feet, at 10 seconds. After anchoring the night before we ventured by dinghy into the marina. Unlike what we had read, everyone was friendly. No landing fees or fees for Jackie (our miniature golden doodle).
The Marina and the current Resort at Chub Cay, which is called the Chub Bay Club, was developed by three Florida businessmen, one of a construction manager, one a attorney and the third a boating promoter who had been behind organizing the Fort Lauderdale boat show. The initial phase which included the marinas and other amenities was completed just before the crash. The three did not have the staying power and the bank took over.
Chub Cay is known for its great fishing. Sitting on the edge of the Bank, you can start offshore fishing almost immediately after leaving the marina. To the north of the Cay are nearly a thousand acres of shallows with filled with bonefish. The Cay also has a number of beautiful white sanded beaches. The island sits 125 miles from Miami, 130 from Fort Lauderdale and 140 from Palm Beach, an easy days runs for hundreds of big carolina style fishing boats that homeport in these locations. The concept, create a world class fishing resort. Although it’s not finished what is, looks good from a architectural standpoint.
What happened? A major project like this takes years in the planning and execution. Significant staying power is required to ride out the inevitable down run that will almost always hit a project of this site at some point. The three obviously didn’t have it or were in a position where they could walk away. The second failure appears that their plan required returns from residential real estate sales needed to substain the project and make a profit. The last time I looked, most big carolina style fishing boats are not short or great accommodations. I don’t think many of these folks are looking for stationary second homes.
We hope someone figures how to make the development work. It’s a beautiful place to visit.
December 9, 2014: Black Point Exumas
We raised anchor and headed through Dotham Cut into Exuma Sound for a 50nm trip to Georgetown. Winds were from the west at 10 knots and we were in a flood condition passing through the cut with a 4 to 5 foot inbound swell breaking on the rocks on each side of the cut. The passage was uncomfortable and my guess unpassable with the incoming tide and west winds with greater strength. After reading the reviews in Active Captain we decided to stop for fuel at the Emerald Bay Resort north of Georgetown. As reported it was a very nice relatively new marina with floating docks. Challenge was getting in and out with a 5 foot ENE swell, and a dog leg entrance to protect it from the east and south east prevailing conditions. Our 1600 caterpillar horses made this entrance and exit easier.
We entered Elizabeth Harbour at Conch Cay Cut, again with the 5 foot ENE swell rolling directly into the Cut. Although sticks have replaced the navigational markers, marking the immediate left turn once inside the Cut, they were at least there. On the rest of the harbour to GeorgeTown we were left to read the bottom ahead based on the color of the water, our Navionics electronics charts and the latest version of the Explorer Chartbooks we had just purchased at the October Trawler Fest in Baltimore. We use all three.
