Thankful thoughts

Thankful thoughts

Tuesday 26 November, 2024

As we were planning to depart for St. Lucia on Wednesday, we had quite a list of jobs to get done on Tuesday. Before breakfast, Mike noticed that the battery voltage was quite low.  We started the engine and were surprised to find that the voltage did not jump up while the engine was running. The conclusion was that we had a problem with the alternator.  Mike checked all the wiring to the alternator.  All the connections looked fine, no obvious broken wires, no blown fuses. Our plans for the day were taking a distinct detour.  Checking for voltage everywhere, seemed to  confirm that the alternator was not functioning.  Although there was a possibility that the voltage regulator was the problem.  Thankfully, we had a spare alternator on board.  Mike ascertained that the spare alternator was missing a few bolts.  We all piled into the dinghy thinking that the three of us might start the grocery shopping.  As it transpired, Mike needed to return to the boat straight away, so we picked up the clean laundry and bought ice.  These items went back to the boat with three crew members, while I waited on the dockside. 

When Pete and Jo returned we started the grocery shopping, armed with the “list”.  After getting the non-perishable items at the “supermarket”  we found a fruit and veg stall to restock our pantry.  Several items were not available at either location but we returned to Cotinga with our “haul” and information about the hours of customs and immigration. Our early departure on Wednesday meant we would need to check out in the afternoon. 

We arrived back at the boat to find the engine running.  Mike had replaced the alternator with the spare. Fortunately, he was seeing the expected spike in battery voltage while the engine was on.  The cabin was still strewn with an assortment of tools.  We waited in the cockpit while Mike cleaned and tidied below.  After putting away the provisions,  Pete, Jo and Mike went back to shore to check out.  Once that was completed, we began boat prep for the passage.  The outboard engine came off the dinghy.  The dinghy was hoisted onto the foredeck and tied down.  The inner forestay was deployed and the stay sail hanked on and sheets and halyard attached. We were so grateful to have solved our charging problem so that we could make the long passage to St. Lucia the following morning. 

Wednesday 27 November, 2024

Five thirty am was a shock to all of us.  We poured coffee (made the night before), got the sails ready and hoisted the anchor.  One reef in the main and the stay sail seemed the right combination for the forecast.  The passage from Bequia to Saint Vincent was somewhat rough but not terrible.  Once behind St. Vincent, the wind died and we motored for a couple hours.  Then, as we approached the north end of St. Vincent, the wind and waves built quite quickly—aided by a squall. The wind at this point was solidly pegged at 22 knots with an occasional gust to 24 knots. It seemed a wee while before the wind settled a bit.  We continued to get Atlantic swells until we were well behind St.  Lucia.  By that point we all were somewhat restless and wanting to arrive at Marigot Bay.  Finally, we picked up a mooring in the outer portion of the bay, having covered 62 nautical miles in about 9 1/2 hours, for an average speed of 6.5 knots.  After a swim and shower, we are all looking forward to dinner and bed.  We were so happy to have arrived at Marigot Bay.

Gloria

It was quite rough off the north coast of St Vincent and it was only after things settled down a little that any of us started taking any photos.

It was actually a beautiful day and a wonderful sail.

Looking back with the island of St Vincent just visible in the top left corner

The single reefed main in conjunction with the staysail worked perfectly in the higher winds (20-24 knots), but as conditions moderated (winds 15-18 knots) we unrolled some of our genoa, thus creating a cutter-rig setup.

Throughout the journey we were accompanied by brown boobies flying laps around the boat. At times they seemed so close you could reach out and touch them. We also saw masked boobies, royal terns and tropic birds

This video is courtesy of Jo Leeming. Taken later in the passage when winds and seas had eased off, this video still gives a good sense of how we were flying along. You will notice swim shorts and wetsuits hanging off the rail, and the partially unfurled genoa doesn't look well trimmed at this point ...!