Well, it’s been a busy but productive week so far. First, an update from the last entry; my phone survived it’s surfing session. Got to love the waterproof rating for the Google Pixel!
We had a great period of much needed R+R in Barbados before catching our late-night flight to Trinidad on Caribbean Airlines. I have to shout out to Caribbean Airlines as they are the first airlines I’ve ever flown that left early because everyone was checked in and ready. We left a whole 45 minutes early! After a relatively easy immigration process, we collected our bag and proceeded to our pick-up point. Unfortunately, our driver was waiting for another couple from Miami that didn’t arrive until 10:45 pm, so I didn’t actually get the kids to bed any sooner.
We were so happy to arrive to Elation who was clean and spiffy after Jay’s fastidious amount of work on her over the past 3 weeks. We had some fantastic guardianage by Dwayne while we were away and are very happy with how well she did with the unbelievable amount of humidity and rain in Trinidad.
The next morning, we were up and it early in the hot, humid morning as it was “Launch Day”. The trailer arrived right on time, lifted Elation off her blocks and proceeded to drive her the entire way across the yard to the launch slip. The boys were incredibly fortunate (and terrified) to be invited to drive the trailer as it maneuvered its way around tight corners. The handled it great and finished with giant smiles on their faces.
The launch is always a stressful event. After 6 months on the hard, you risk having your seacocks dry out, crack and ultimately fail resulting in a boat that rapidly takes on water. In fact, the catamaran in front of us had a large volume water ingress and ultimately had to get hauled back out for more repairs.
We were fortunate enough to have no issues with water ingress. We floated! Unfortunately, our engine batter did not float and we had to do a last-minute sprint to the local hardware store to buy a replacement that would fit to, at the very least be able to get us out of the busy slipway. Finally underway we headed out to anchor in the nearby anchorage. We took advantage of our light winds to quickly get all of our sails back up and this went very easily.
Then began the long list of systems checks, updates, and maintenance. “Boat Life!” It’s not all work and no play. Jay and the boys attended the barbecue and party at Peake’s and I was able to enjoy a day at the waterpark with the boys and a large group of cruising kid boat families. We had a wonderful time, catching up, climbing stairs, and racing down numerous slides with shrieks and cheers.
A couple days later, after completing many projects and adding many more to the list, we picked up anchor in anticipation of a long push north reaching in 10-15 knots. What started as a lovely, easy sail, soon became the proverbial washing machine as we battled and slammed our way against 3 knots of westerly flowing current for 60 miles. Needless to say, we do not have our sea legs. While only one man required a bucket, we were all splayed out in the cockpit trying not to move. Alas, our ambitious plan to punch all the way to Bequia was diverted to a drop of the anchor and some much needed sleep and hydration in Grenada.
Tomorrow, we will motor our way North in even lighter air but we will be sure to pre medicate this time. At least, until I unpack our sea legs…
Miles Sailed: 90
Projects completed: Boat launched, new engine battery, all sails put up, sail drive service, generator and engine checks, launching the dinghy and the outboard, installing jack lines, installing life raft and horse show buoys, rerunning the starlink cable, splicing the new cable, installing the new peplink, unpacking, laundry, resuming schoolwork, provisioning, checking all winches and furler motors, re organizing the aft compartment, fueling, filling the water tank, replacing the cushion anchors, reviving the old engine battery
Things that broke: Still have fingers crossed
Next stop: Carriacou then Bequia and keep pushing North to be in Martinique for Christmas.
⛵️Safe Travels to you all!! Can’t wait to follow along!! Merry Christmas 🎄🌟
Have a great trip. Along your way, Chatham Bay on the west side of Union Island can be an excellent anchorage, if Vanessa’s beach restaurant is still open it is a good spot for dinner. Enjoy.