Bahama Banks

I completed the Gulf Stream crossing at about nine last night then continued easting on the banks till about eleven.
During my pre sail checks this morning I found that the rope lacing that attaches the starboard trampoline had completely failed. I also found that the out haul car that attaches the foot of the mainsail had also failed I made temporary repairs and got underway at 06:30.
The wind is still east but at the moment it has dropped to 15 knts. The waves in this shallow water are short interval and so called square. Since the water is only about 10 to fifteen feet deep the wind driven waves encounter the sea bed which cases a friction or drag and piles up the waves in a very aggravating pattern that is ruff on boat and crew.
About fifty miles to the east locates the North west channel light marking safe passage where vessels transition from the shallow water of the banks to very deep water (2000 to 4000 foot). of course this body of water called the tounge of the ocean will have a different set of uncomfortable challenges.
The passage east from the banks to Nassau is about fifty miles.
mark

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