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View Full Version : A day at Snake Cay 2 the Sequel


Wonkee
07-21-2008, 01:13 PM
Many of you may remeber my Post on a trip to Snake Cay Christmas Before Last. It was on the Old board, and recently I posted it over here during a lul in posts. It told of the torment to get the boat out, fix the flat, get where we were going, and thr troubles when we got back.

Well I went to Snake Cay Agian Yesterday. It was a great day to go in the boat. We went to Church and the Sermon was about attending a funeral. Jesus, and Lazarus. Well there is a great start. A funeral..more like Omen.
The Boat was at the farm, so we loaded up the truck, and went to the Farm to pick her up. I made sure the Ball was tight this time, no need to almost loose the boat. We hook up check the tires, and get ready to go. So far everything was going well. We stop and get some Ice and tehn head for the Ramp.
We got to the Y on Snake Cay road, and I looked out the Passanger window to see the Tire from the trailer passing us...Not Good. I knowing the Snake Cay curse brought the spare, and Extra Lugs. Problem #2 it broke the axel. Upon closer inspection, we found that we had cut a trench in the road, so now all they have to do is run the lines and they can have power and Water at Snake Cay.
The Family keeps a spare trailer for just such occasions, so we went and got it. the trailer is quite a bit larger, but was modified to use with that boat already. it has double axels, so 1 flat on a side will not present a problem. A problem that did exist is the boat is welded plate aluminium and weighs almost a ton. So there was no moving it over by hand. So Albury's trucking was hired to bring a fork lift to move her from the broken trailer to the new trailer. That was a task in itself. The Boat has a Tunnel in the bottom so the boat had a tendency to want to rool off the forks. But with the help of straps, and a steadying hand it was lifted free, and the new trailer was put in place. We lowered her on but she sat crooked. We were going to just leave her and go home, but realized that may cause damage to the boat, so we had to launch her and bring her up.
We were going to get away so we had no watch, and so had no idea where tide was. The gentelman that helped move the boat to the trailer said, "Tide is High High." so off we went. We arrived and got the boat in the water, but the angle had her stuck on the trailer, and the fact that tide was dead low, Thaks buddy. We used some boards for leverage got the stern lifted, and the boat in the water. OK e hav her in and we cant pull her with tide so low, we may as well go in the boat.
We get in and start to pull off and remember, it takes fuel to run the boat, not just hopes and dreams. We had brought the fuel, just forgot in the Drama to put it in. so we spilled $6 in the bottom trying to get it to flow into the small opening and admiting we needed a funnel. We used the small oil bottle since we had to add oil, and filled her up.
Time to start the motor...10 min of pulling and 1 dead arm later we realize that the new engine, replacing the one that the Rats ate before, had a saftey kill clip. OK now she will start. 10 min and another dead arm, reveals that you must hook up the fuel line as well. With luck after the fuel the boat started on the first pull. She had great power, and we thought our troubles were over.
Mama told us that we should be able to find a conch on the grass between the first two rocks, there is a channel ruinning right between them...There was not a channel, and the water was very wet. After walking her to a deep spot we ge t in start her up, and go. We immediatly jump up a turtle, and while following it we fail to pay attention, and go right back on another shallow spot, at least this time it was deep enough that we could poll across...wait where is the pole? back out and walk her down. back in and check some other "Secret" places for Conch well they are all gone so now we head for a few other places to search.
We looked for 45 min for a conch. I have never been to Snake Cay to not find a conch in any one of those areas, but wer were comming up with nothing.
Well we have to wait for tide so we may as well fish, off to a spot, "Lets check that small bar at the mouth for a conch" " there has never been a conch there before" "Just Go" "Fine" "Fine" ....."Hey look A conch" so now we have our one conch. It was imperative we find a conch, a day in the boat is wasted without a conch.
We struggle to find the right place to fish, we thought we had it, but something was not right so we moved, and found a new spot that we had never fished before. I threw over and just as it hit Turbet...thats Queen Trigger to some. I thought I had found the spot of the century...but it was short lived as we drug anchor right past it. I continued t try to no avail the fish just wouldnt bite. Kandi Finished the conch salad, and we began to eat.
In the Family there is a spoon it is a sacred spoon to some, that has value beyond measure. That spoon was with us. Mrs. Les' spoon She trained Alton Lowe to paint...So Kandi give it to Lance to eat his Salad, and sure enough he drops it over. So I got to take my first dive since the Accident. I sunk like a rock, right to bottom. it was wonderful, I could move about free from the pressure. I really enjoyed it. Now to get back in the boat....That was sad and pathetic, I had no fins so I could not kick myself higher, it had to be done with the arms. so I kicked as fast and hard and threw myself onto the edge. I start to turn around and sit, and Kandi reaches to help and pushes me back over. After several attempts I finally made it on the boat. Now we can go and find a new place to fish. We went to the "Deep Hole" I caught 40 plus fish, all about 4 inches long. Insult to injury. I fished out the bait and said lets go
we go to the ramp, and tide was nice and high the boat floated right on and we thought we were set. Then we realixed we had gone to far foward, remember it is a much larger trailer. We go to push it back a little, while trying to stand on a tire we realize that they will spin and throw you off into the water. well we get her up.
We pull her just out of the water to prepare her to head home, when we realize that someone had been kind enough to release almost all the air from the tires. It has become a popular thing in Abaco to take in Alluminium, for scrap. Our thought is someone wanted the trailer, and or the boat, but whe was holding enough air, that we could get her back to the farm.
We got her back, and took her off, and came home...Man what a trip
cost of trip
5 1/2 beers...1/2 was lost while failling down walking for conch
6 gallons of gass for the boat
1 gallon for the bottom of the boat
5 sodas
3 bottles of water
1 pint 2cycle oil
2 hooks
1 lead
1 trailer
1 forklift
5 gallons of gas for the truck, and thetrip back to town
The trip probably only ended up costing about $600 and all we had to show was 1 turbet.
I love Snak Cay. Every time I go it gets better and better.

gummy67
07-21-2008, 01:28 PM
It sounded more like a 12 beer trip instead of 5 1/2.

Patti Puzo
07-21-2008, 01:39 PM
Wonkee, I'm tired just from reading it! My Irish grandmother would say "You have the patience of a saint".

BahamaAngie
07-21-2008, 02:23 PM
Next time go on a charter or with someone you can split expenses and get fish!!!! hee. hee. What an exhausting day. Better luck with your next outing!!!

HALF-A-HAMIAN
07-21-2008, 02:26 PM
He left out the fun part about the jellyfish that came to watch him dive up the spoon! And gee, I didn't get to go off, eat conch salad and fish. Some folks complain about new rope. ;-)

CR
07-21-2008, 03:18 PM
Jonah - or I mean Craig,

With luck like your's - I think I would stay on shore.:D

Cheers,
R.

Wonkee
07-21-2008, 04:05 PM
I did fail to mention all the jellies that got me. from walking the boat my ankles are red, and I have a nice sting on my Collar bone where I caught one in my shirt, and the one on the thigh and back of the knee are nice too.
As far as I see it.
I got to go in the boat...Good
I got to catch fish...Good
I had fresh Conch Salad....Good
The Boat made it back....Good
I got to go in the sea.....Good
I made more wonderful memories of Snake Cay...Good

Nope I dont see the bad in it all. I chalk it up to experience. When something happens I can look at all the bad, or just make the best of it. Besides got to tell the Grandkids something..

SamFamAustin
07-22-2008, 12:21 AM
Wow that story tired me out too! Always beware of names like snake river, snake island, or snake cay - never good. But a excellent yarn and well told.

My story isn't half as good. There's a mysterious buoy off our part of the Gulf called "K" on the maps. It moves about, disappears, and then reappears. So we found 5 reefs and canyons way out to 80 miles offshore, right on the money, and came by for a gander at Buoy K, which always had fish - if the buoy was there.

We looked and looked, and after an hour no telling how much fuel we burned with two 300 HP engines looking for that rascal. Even with two GPS, no Buoy K. So we headed into port when all the sudden the starboard engine starts coughing and losing power. We all looked at each other like we'd been had. The engine would fart, stumble, growl, and then only go half speed. It blew a big smoke ring when it pooted.

Made it back OK into the pass although a little late and on the VHF another fisherman hails saying he caught an OK wahoo, a punk white marlin they released, and a huge AJ on the troll ... right at Buoy K. "It's a big red buoy with a big letter "K" on it and we passed it and circled twice, a blow-up each time."

All we had was a peanut dinky dolphin and an engine with a case of the farts.

Yeah, the Bermuda Triangle is a myth, worse than an old wive's tale ... but some places really do have the heebee-jeebees, though. Thanks for the story, Wonkee.
-sammie