Seasonal Closings...

[Tolerance]

As usual, I ask on The Cruisers Net each year at this time who will be closing when...so far, here's what we've been told about...

Cracker P's closes 8/15 - till near Christmas Lubbers Quarters
Pete's Pub closes 8/15 Little Harbour
Abaco Inn closes 8/18 HT (White Sound)
Harbours Edge closes 8/22 HT
Wallys closes 8/22 MH
Green Turtle Club closes 9/8 - 10/28 GTC
Grabbers closes 9/14 - 10/14 Guana
Watercolours Cottages closes 8/15 - 10/15 Lubbers Quarters
Art Cafe closes 8/16
Curly Tails 9/15 -10/15

That's all that have called in, and where the re-opening date is not listed, you can presume it will be in Nov.

If you have more info or would like your info posted here, contact me on PM...

Hope everyone has a great vacation!
Pattie Toler

[phillyboy]

Patti,

Why are there closings.Is it the height of hurricane seaon? I've been checking out thi site for about a month now because a friend had been to the Abacos,Elbow cay,and recommended going there.We,a group of about 10 to 14 people, usually go to the carribean thr second week of October.Should I reconsider this date ?

[Tolerance]

Phillyboy,
That depends on your expectations--Elbow Cay (indeed all of Abaco) will have many establishments closed for vacation (it's storm season, yes, but the European tradition is to take ~6weeks vacation each year anyway, so business owners use the quiet time of year to travel, and to renovate businesses).
Personally, I LOVE this time of year--the weather is dependable-hot with daily showers-and the pace is markedly slowed down. (unless a storm brews up)
If you need entertainment and restaurants you will find them, just not in the abundance that usually exists. Your choices are limited, but you do have choices.
Some people wouldn't come any other time...if you are looking for deserted beaches, quiet family time, fishin' and swimmin' and the occasional Sunday pig roast, you might be one of them.

Just remember to check on the Cruisers Net each morning on VHF 68 at 0815 -- you will hear all the local goings on there. Make sure your cottage or boat has a VHF!

[BahamaAngie]

Pattie, we have only been fortunate to have a VHF in one rental and I tried to make sure I was listening everyday. It was a real treat but anywhere else we have stayed, we did not have one.:( But we did enjoy it while we did:).

[me4sail]

For under $200.00 you can pick up a hand-held VHF and take it with you. You can take it every year. Fun to have at the beach stateside also.

[Tolerance]

Angie,
Amenities will vary with owners radios are not cheap and most renters don't even know what they are--me4sail has a stellar idea--bring along a handheld! It is probably THE most important piece of safety equipment that you can have here. (When properly used--take a course or read up on how to use a VHF--yup, there is a right and wrong way, and the wrong way can be dangerous to everyone involved).

[me4sail]

“Fun” was the wrong choice of words for me to use. “Interesting” to listen to at the beach “state side” and necessary equipment in the Abaco’s is more correct.

On a related note, I’ve been enjoying live Cursers Net on the internet from NC but for the past few mornings, It seems to have disappeared from Shout Cast and Fly Cast. The link on the forum doesn’t work either.
Anyone know why?


Mike

[Abacowilly]

. . . . can be simply awesome! Although many establishments are closed, as has been noted, this is a fantastic time of year to visit the Abacos. Having enjoyed Abaco every month of the year, October is clearly one of our favorites. Water is still warm, the already uncrowded beaches are even more uncrowded and the weather is usally very nice. We've even been at Thanksgiving and enjoyed temps in the 80's! The local businesses that are still open always appreciate your patronage during that time of year - just have a little patience since they could be staffed a bit lower that time of year.

[LongBeachTom]

Any recommendations on a brand and how much to pay for a hand-held radio?

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

Any recommendations on a brand and how much to pay for a hand-held radio?

Unless you're a regular boater, you don't need to go hi-tec on them. I bought a pair of new Midland hand-held, that are $89 retail, on eBay. One was $29, the other $40. Worked great at Cherokee, a good distance south of the "hub" of Abaco. Long Beach would be stretching it. For a house at Long Beach, you'll need a higher watt base unit, with a good antenna. The antenna is more important than the radio unit. :cool:

[Tolerance]

Right...go cheap unless you will be using it regularly.
Antenna is important, but remember ALL VHF's are line-of-sight---if you are in a cave, (or behind a hill) it won't work. That's why the antenna works--the line of sight is raised to the top of the antenna!
Everyone thinks I must have a REALLY great radio--I just buy the cheapest, because I buy about 5 a year...it's all in location of the antenna. (and I have been doing the net for 20 years this Dec--doing the Cruisers Net 365 days a year, so I feel like I have a handle on the situation)

[Tolerance]

“Fun” was the wrong choice of words for me to use. “Interesting” to listen to at the beach “state side” and necessary equipment in the Abaco’s is more correct.

On a related note, I’ve been enjoying live Cursers Net on the internet from NC but for the past few mornings, It seems to have disappeared from Shout Cast and Fly Cast. The link on the forum doesn’t work either.
Anyone know why?


Mike


Mike--
The recording and broadcast of the Abaco Net is relying on a steady flow of elec.--if there is an interruption, it must be manually reset by the good folks at oii

Pattie

[blue moon]

can you ask them to reset it? those of us who are not there really miss not listening to your bright and cheerful voice daily...

[Tolerance]

They have been----faithfully---keep checking..

[blue moon]

Thanks Patti,
you are part of what makes Abaco a special place to be... and congrats in advance on all the years you have been hosting the cruiser net in a positive manner.. Thanks for being there for us all!

[Tolerance]

bump

[Agur's Wish]

Hey Kids, Could not resist this post. The Admiral and I were there for Francis, Jeanne, Pattie and Bob (Miss him). There are always places w/ good food open in the off season. Just gotta look around, pick what sounds good, tell the Cruisers Net in the AM. Will not get you a free drink, but helps everyone else out. Go on up to high power now. Mary and Jeff

[Tolerance]

Bump --- because things are opening again--Capt Jacks...HT Coffee House are now open.

[wwstaffing]

Could anyone recommend a VHF radio that would be good to use on Guana Cay. I would like to be able to carry it in the golf cart, on the beach and inside the house as well. Where in the states can I buy them? I don't know who sells them. (Radio Shack?)

P.S. Patti, i have to agree. Since we have been coming to Abaco you have been so wonderfully helpful letting us learn about the islands on this board. I don't know what we would have done without some of your insights. Thanks.

[Topshelf Trish]

I purchased a hand held on the internet, just google VHF. I paid around $80.00 for it. I tried Radio Shack and they didn't carry them.

[texasgal]

We bought ours at Academy. I think Gander Mountain and Bass pro shop carries them as well. We paid about $70 for ours.

[Tolerance]

You are so welcome "Staffing"...as far as channel to use...68 is where the Abaco Cruisers Net comes on at 0815am and, as a result has evolved for the past 20 years as the preferred calling channel here. Expressly reserved channels include---16 is distress and safety hailing, then 22, 72, 77 and 80 are working channels for police, fire and rescue--you would call for help on 16 and they would "switch" to one of these working channels. Everyone is asked to respect these channel reservations when they are in range.
That leaves dozens of channels for you to chose from...you will find a favorite and tend to use it over and over again.

[blue moon]

well it seems fast but I do think it might be time to post OPENINGS! now that the snow is flying some of us are heading south.. What can we expect to be open and when?? thanks Patti

[Moderator Elf]

well it seems fast but I do think it might be time to post OPENINGS! now that the snow is flying some of us are heading south.. What can we expect to be open and when?? thanks Patti

Pattie has been sending in updates of places that are no longer closed and these places are no longer on the "master" list at the start of this thread (which seems to be on the verge of a hijacking from time to time:-)

[Tolerance]

As usual, I ask on The Cruisers Net each year at this time who will be closing when...so far, here's what we've been told about...

Cracker P's closes 8/15 - till near Christmas Lubbers Quarters
Pete's Pub closes 8/15 Little Harbour
Abaco Inn closes 8/18 HT (White Sound)
Harbours Edge closes 8/22 HT
Wallys closes 8/22 MH
Green Turtle Club closes 9/8 - 10/28 GTC
Grabbers closes 9/14 - 10/14 Guana
Watercolours Cottages closes 8/15 - 10/15 Lubbers Quarters
Art Cafe closes 8/16
Curly Tails 9/15 -10/15

That's all that have called in, and where the re-opening date is not listed, you can presume it will be in Nov.

If you have more info or would like your info posted here, contact me on PM...

Hope everyone has a great vacation!
Pattie Toler


The opening dates still hold true--and I will certainly let you all know as soon as the ones who aren't sure when they will open, do (open).

[Topshelf Trish]

Does anyone know if Jerry's place and the Art Cafe in Guana will be opening soon?

[blue moon]

looking for updates on openings..

[PatW]

Pirates Cove is open and never closed. Art Cafe's sign says November but if more people start coming, maybe she will open early.



Does anyone know if Jerry's place and the Art Cafe in Guana will be opening soon?

[Topshelf Trish]

Thanks Pat W. see you around the island soon.:)