Author's note: Two readers recently e-mailed me for recommendations on two different but related questions. Neither of which is really covered in my book, but may be of interest to other readers with similar circumstances.
The first reader is planning to take his sailboat to the Bahamas, fly back to the United States to work, but leave the boat in the islands for 2-3 years. He then plans to return to the boat every chance he gets for a week to a month at a time. He’s looking for suggestions. I’ve given him mine by e-mail and have summarized them here for the benefit of others, but further welcome comments from others who may have solved the problem in other ways.
The second reader is planning a trip to the Bahamas in his 140 ft. yacht with a 15 ft. draft, he wants to spend some time in Abaco, but of course is somewhat restrained by draft.

First, the sailor who plans to do his cruise in stages, commuting back to the United States for work, has several problems to solve. Whichever port he chooses, should have several characteristics.

	Ideally, good commercial air transportation should be available nearby.
	He wants good cruising and diving nearby, so that when he comes in for a one-week stay, he doesn’t waste a lot of time getting to his chosen cruising ground.
	His chosen port should have good protection in case of a major storm.
	He wants reliable people to attend his boat in his absence.

Commercial Air Transportation

If one considers this criterion alone, Freeport stands apart from all of the other choices.

This reader has frequently taken advantage of the gambling junkets that offer cheap airfare. One doesn’t have to gamble to take advantage of the inexpensive airfares. As a private pilot, I like Freeport because it is the only airport, except Nassau, which offers an instrument approach and lights for night landings.

Marsh Harbour, and Treasure Cay both have good commercial air service close to the marinas. The choice between Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay will be mostly one of personal preference for the resort atmosphere at Treasure Cay or the busier town of Marsh Harbour, where a wide range of supplies and services are available.

Walkers Cay also has commercial air service, and is quite popular with the fishermen, but is often overlooked by the sailors.

Hope Town, Man-O-War, and Green Turtle Cay have no commercial air service, but it is a short water taxi ride from Marsh Harbour to Hope Town (or Man-O-War); or from Treasure Cay to Green Turtle Cay.

Good Cruising, Diving Nearby

Considering this criterion, Green Turtle Cay, Hope Town, and Man-O-War stand apart from the other choices. From each of these locations, you can actually walk to some very nice diving areas, and you are already in the best cruising ground you’ll ever find. Often when weather, time, or circumstances don’t permit taking the boat out to the reef, you can walk right from the beach to one of the inner reefs or coral heads and find dinner. Usually you can even find a restaurant to cook your catch for you. Now that’s the lap of luxury!

From any one of these locations, you will find literally dozens of day stops for short cruises, and far more if you venture out for a week or two at a time.

Even though these cays require a short water taxi ride to get to your harbor, this type of island has always been my choice.

Protection

All of the harbors, I’ve mentioned here have excellent protection in most conditions. In extreme conditions such as a hurricane, it is difficult to rate one of these harbors over the other. In theory, those a bit inland like Treasure Cay or Marsh Harbour might fare a bit better than those harbors on outlying cays. It seems that the smaller the harbor the better. You’ll have to think about whether you’d rather be on a mooring or at a dock.

Reliable Marine Services

You’ll invariable want to know that there are reliable people to take care of your boat in your absence. I have found the people in Abaco to be quite reliable and honest. The people of Man-O-War have long had an excellent reputation for their work ethic and the quality of their maritime work. A caution is in order; if you’ll have to rely upon others to care for your boat during a major storm, just recall that everyone has a lot to do—more than they can do!

Additional Considerations

You’ll want to take into consideration whether you’d like to leave your boat on a mooring, or at a dock. Each has its advantage. I recommend that you take an honest personal inventory of your own preferences. If you or your crew, like a busy party atmosphere, that should affect your choice. If you prefer a lot of quiet time in lonesome deserted anchorage, then your pick your homeport accordingly. After all nothing is permanent! Home is where you hang the hook, so you might consider doing what I did, make one area, your homeport for a few months, until you tire of that area, then move on somewhere else.

For The Fishing Boats

The big fishing boats frequently use Walkers Cay, Great Harbour Marina (in the Northern Berry Islands) and Bimini the same way this sailor plans to do. One might assume this is because of the great fishing nearby, but their popularity is also in part due to the safety of the boat in the owner’s absence, and the nearby air transportation.

Your input requested

I always welcome comments from readers of the book and visitors to the website, but on this one I really need some input. E-mail me at AbacoGuide@yahoo.com with any comments you might have regarding how you may have solved this problem. I’d appreciate any positive or negative comments regarding experiences you may have had with leaving your boat for periods of time in the Northern Bahamas. I’ve never had any problem with theft or vandalism, has anyone else? Can you think any other problems that I may not have addressed?
Now I really need your help on this one! I gave my initial recommendations to the captain with the big boat, but I’d really like to hear from readers! Any ideas for this captain? I’ll combine reader’s ideas and my own, next month.