Jake and I have been boaters for years. We started with an 18" runabout and have continued to upgrade and now have a 44' twin diesel trawler. We have two staterooms (bedrooms to landlubbers), one fore and one aft, and between them is a salon (living room), two heads (bathrooms), and a small galley (kitchen). Over the aft stateroom is the aft deck (back porch). Up from the aft deck, over the salon is the fly bridge (where you drive it). The boat is ideal for weekend trips on the intercoastal waterway, or for a two week vacation. This is the story of our last vacation.
We invited four of our long time friends and tennis buddies on a two week trip from Ft. Lauderdale to The Bahamas, stopping for as long as we wanted at various marinas and anchorages.
Everyone showed up around 5:00AM hoping to make the crossing during daylight. We had spent the prior week stocking the boat and were ready to go.
We knew that sleeping accommodations would be somewhat cramped. The fore and aft staterooms are quite comfortable, but the third couple would be sleeping on a fold out couch in the salon. We agreed to split the salon sleeping, with each couple being there for four nights.
All six of us are in our late thirties and in good shape, thanks to our three times a week tennis matches. My husband Jake is 6', quite handsome, with a muscular build. My name is Sandy. I am 5'5", long blonde hair, 38C and get a lot of looks when I walk down the street. Our friends are Tom and his wife Pam and Sam and his wife Susan. Tom is 5'10" slender build, Salt & pepper hair, and quite handsome. Sam is 5'11" slightly balding and very outgoing and funny. Pam and Susan are 5'6" both brunettes and very attractive. The biggest difference in their appearance is that Susan is somewhat flat chested with long silky hair and a pretty face; while Pam is very busty with shoulder length hair and would be considered more cute than pretty.
We were all having a good time as we headed out to sea. Our first night would be at Chubb Cay, a small island between Bimini and Nassau. Chubb Cay has both a nice marina and protected anchorage; we decided on anchoring. The weather was beautiful and we made good time. As we entered the anchorage there were several other boats anchored as we moved around selecting an open spot; where Jake put the engines in reverse as Tom threw out the anchor. After testing to make sure the anchor was holding, we were set for the night.
Having some sunlight remaining, Pam, Susan and I decided to go for a swim, so we went into the boat and changed from shorts to bikinis. The guys were doing boat things as we climbed down the ladder to the swim platform and jumped in the water. We played in the water around the boat for an hour, laughing and yelling back and forth with the men on the boat. The guys started complaining about having to do all the work, and it was making them hungry, so we grudgingly got out of the water to make dinner.
The first part of making dinner has to be mixed drinks for all hands, so Susan became the bartender while Pam and I turned on the generator and started cooking. We all moved to the aft deck, enjoying the weather and our drinks while Pam and I took turns running down to the galley to check on dinner.
Everyone had a great time on our first night at anchor; however we all had a slight hangover the next morning. As we made the crossing to Nassau the combination of hangover and rolling seas made everyone uncomfortable.
Our second night was at the city marina in Nassau. Everyone was a little sea sick so we had a small dinner, for those that could eat something, and went to bed early.
The next morning we all felt much better as we fueled up and filled the water tank. We got under way to our first "fun destination", Allans Cay, southeast of Nassau about four leisurely hours by trawler.
Allans Cay is a very small uninhabited island about the size of two football fields. Two channels cut it into what are actually three smaller islands. Fortunately we were the only boat there so we anchored at the south island, which only has space for one boat.
The sun was bright and the water was so clear you could see fish twenty feet down. Sam got out his fishing gear hoping to catch the evening dinner, while Jake and Tom got the 8' dingy into the water and headed out to explore the water around the island.
Susan, Pam and I decided that we had to get in the water. The sandy bottom comes down on a gradual incline from the island, so after swimming for ten yards we were able to stand and walk to land. We took some bread with us to feed the iguanas and seagulls. The water was so clear when we looked back, it almost appeared that the boat was sitting in the air.
Sam was on the swim platform still trying to catch dinner when we returned to the boat. Jake and Tom were still out exploring so I suggested that since no one was around for miles that we should do some topless sunbathing on the bow. Pam and Susan loved the idea as we stripped off our tops and enjoyed the sun. Susan commented "this is heaven; going topless in this magic place makes me feel so free. I wish we could stay this way." I said "why not, I'm topless or nude quite often when Jake and I are alone at anchor. Our only concern is the two men that aren't our husbands. Knowing the three of them I can't see that being a problem, but let's ask them this evening." Susan and I smiled as Pam started giggling.
We heard the sound of the dingy returning so our tops reluctantly went back on. After Sam helped secure the dingy to the swim platform the three men climbed the ladder and we met them on the aft deck.
Not having much faith in Sam's fishing ability I had taken frozen hamburger out to thaw about noon, planning on a spaghetti dinner. It was now into evening so Susan and I started the generator and began cooking as Pam mixed drinks for everyone.
The combination of drinks and being in the sun all day made everyone a little silly, so we were all laughing at even stupid comments and jokes.
Susan was the first to bring up the topless suggestion, explaining that it wasn't fair for the men to wear just shorts with no shirt, while the women had to cover their top. The three men looked at each other and immediately smiled, agreeing that this was completely unfair. Sam took it a step further, suggesting that it should be clothing optional for the women. Everyone was laughing as Pam said "this would also be unfair, requiring shorts for the men. We are looking for equality here."
Jake went to the galley and returned with a bowl, pencils and a pad of "post it" paper. Everyone was curious about what he was doing as he handed each person a pencil and piece of paper. He said "Sandy and I are quite often nude when alone on the boat at anchor, but we haven't done that when we had company. Everyone vote Yes or No on their paper for clothing optional. Each person has veto power. Any No vote is a "no" for all of us. We don't want anyone being uncomfortable." Another round of drinks was poured as everyone was laughing and badgering about how each person would vote. Sam said "Pam maybe, but Susan and Sandy...never!" Tom added "I don't know, all three have bodies they should be proud to show off." Jake commented "let's see how brave they are."
Jake put the bowl on the table and advised "everyone has until lights out to vote. Just before we turn off the generator for the night we'll count the vote. Anyone abstaining will be considered a No vote."
