February 11, 2001 -- Governor's Harbour to Mators Cove

At 1202 GMT (0702 EST), we raised anchor along with Skoals. We decided that for this trip, while we could sail, we would not so that we would have good maneuvering capability in case we needed to dodge coral heads. We would be traveling through the shallowest waters we have been through where coral heads are known to grow. It would have been a good day to sail. The winds stayed out of the South East all day at a steady 10 knots. There were a few moments of trepidation. Once, we thought we had mislaid our course based on one chart, that chart indicated we were headed for 1.8 meters of water (at low tide). However, when we compared that with a different one, and what our eyes told us, we calmed down and resumed our course. We made it through with only a few 'pucker moments' as Sandra says. In fact, at one point, she teased me by suggesting the reason I was standing was so I wouldn't get stuck suctioned to the helm seat! Once our depth dropped below 11 feet, Mike stood on the bow of the boat watching for coral heads. We avoided a few dark patches, a few of which proved to be coral heads (low ones), but most were simply sea grass. At 1704 GMT, we arrived at our designated anchor spot. Mators Cove is a small indentation on the western coast of Eleuthera that would offer protection from the North East, East and South East. Unfortunately, there was a surge effect from a combination of wind and current that caused us to rock back and forth. This made for a long afternoon and a long night!