... you will find that Alabaster is a decent place to wait out a front, probably not a strong one, but you can anchor in the south west corner against the rocks when it starts to clock and until it goes NW, and then you go to the NW corner, quite nice, and protected. Those little rocky islands off the NW corner have some very large grouper in there, but they are tough to catch. The little Italian joint on the beach has internet and excellent food, and some nights live music. Take a walk to the ocean side and explore the old Navy base, I think it was a sub tracking base. We like the anchorage off Lenny Kravitz's beach just south of the Glass Window, you can't miss it, the beach is awesome, his Airstream is probably parked there, I think it is called Mutton Fish Point.

If you haven't done so already, say hello to Lisa who owns the Bucaneer in GH, you can drool over her two daughters who will probably be around. Personally, I wouldn't spend too much time in Spanish Wells, anchoring can be iffy, there is no booze ... and the place is just weird. Cheapest fuel in the Bahamas though and plenty of supplies if you need them.

If the weather is clear and wind light-ish and anything but north, don't hesitate to do the Devil's Backbone at the right time of day, Monty has it all laid out for you. With someone on the bow, it is straightforward, just go slow, it only takes an hour. HI has to be one of my favorite places ... Get there early in the morning for the fresh donuts at the Arthur's Bakery by the Catholic church. A sweet little anchorage is at the north end of the harbour, on the south tip of Man Island. Take the dinghy out to the Backbone, very good diving and fishing. And if the wind goes west and strong, just go over to Three Islands where the water taxis land.

When you're ready to leave HI for Abaco, just go out the south Cut, best on a rising tide, the route is on Monty's chart, don't cut the corner (shallow draft route). That Cut is tricky in strong easterly, but otherwise, pretty straightforward, there are a couple mooring balls marking the shoal & reef inside. If it is rough, I would not do this Cut, narrow & scary !

Cheers, John