Attached is the photo of two Big Eye Tuna caught that night at 9 knots! I suppose with the current being what it was, you could say it was really only 7knots!
The last four days from Salut to Tobago were not that pleasant. The wind was generally in the 20-25 knot range, but the sea state was very confused and uncomfortable, making rest and sleep almost impossible. There was about 3/4mtr swell running from the stb quarter, (sometimes 4/5), but on very short intervals, so the boat was being perpetually lifted and twisted, and fighting its way back on course. On top of this, we were running across the widespread ITCZ zone, and were being hit by squalls every hour or so. They were not particularly vicious, only ever getting up to 35kn, but it meant keeping the sails reefed to deal with them, as shaking out, and re reefing each time in that sea was not an option. The nights were very black, and one could often not see them coming until you felt them! And poor little Fredlet, our rubber band Autohelm 3000 back up had a torrid time. We were however incredibly impressed by its performance, and economy, to the extent that when we have finally got Fred sorted( or deep sixed, and replaced!), we will probably use the Autohelm as the primary, and Fred as the backup! I think the Autohelm was only ever expected to cope with a 7500kg boat, and not a 12000kg fully loaded cruiser! We will just take extra belts, and in fact Roy McBride has sent one or two to Crews inn, in Chaguaramus for us. Whereas the run to Ille du Salut (1369nm) took 194.5hrs, (7.02kn avr, 168nm pd), the 600nm to Tobago took 99hrs, ( avr 6.06kn, 145nm pd). The current was still in our favour, but down to 1kn. I think if we had been able to use the B & G hydrolic pilot, we could have carried more sail, and powered through the conditions more effectively. We definitely noticed that when we were in mid squall, doing 8.5kn- 9..00kn SOG, that our tracking improved, and the ride was easier.
Man of War Bay is a charming anchorage, and we look forward to spending a relaxing couple of months here, before going down to Trinidad for Carnival , haul out, antifoul,and refit. We have now done 8880nm in Sheer Tenacity since we left Hout Bay, and whereas the boat has been fantastic, the electronics , many of which were second hand, have been a real trial to us,often causing uncomfortable levels of stress..... No Radar, No SSB, Main Autopilot u/s, Satphone iffy, VHF Radio failed( Fortunately bought an old spare from anaother cruiser to see us through) B & G Wind - direction 100% garbage, wind speed sometimes garbage! ST deserves some better kit!
The last four days from Salut to Tobago were not that pleasant. The wind was generally in the 20-25 knot range, but the sea state was very confused and uncomfortable, making rest and sleep almost impossible. There was about 3/4mtr swell running from the stb quarter, (sometimes 4/5), but on very short intervals, so the boat was being perpetually lifted and twisted, and fighting its way back on course. On top of this, we were running across the widespread ITCZ zone, and were being hit by squalls every hour or so. They were not particularly vicious, only ever getting up to 35kn, but it meant keeping the sails reefed to deal with them, as shaking out, and re reefing each time in that sea was not an option. The nights were very black, and one could often not see them coming until you felt them! And poor little Fredlet, our rubber band Autohelm 3000 back up had a torrid time. We were however incredibly impressed by its performance, and economy, to the extent that when we have finally got Fred sorted( or deep sixed, and replaced!), we will probably use the Autohelm as the primary, and Fred as the backup! I think the Autohelm was only ever expected to cope with a 7500kg boat, and not a 12000kg fully loaded cruiser! We will just take extra belts, and in fact Roy McBride has sent one or two to Crews inn, in Chaguaramus for us. Whereas the run to Ille du Salut (1369nm) took 194.5hrs, (7.02kn avr, 168nm pd), the 600nm to Tobago took 99hrs, ( avr 6.06kn, 145nm pd). The current was still in our favour, but down to 1kn. I think if we had been able to use the B & G hydrolic pilot, we could have carried more sail, and powered through the conditions more effectively. We definitely noticed that when we were in mid squall, doing 8.5kn- 9..00kn SOG, that our tracking improved, and the ride was easier.
Man of War Bay is a charming anchorage, and we look forward to spending a relaxing couple of months here, before going down to Trinidad for Carnival , haul out, antifoul,and refit. We have now done 8880nm in Sheer Tenacity since we left Hout Bay, and whereas the boat has been fantastic, the electronics , many of which were second hand, have been a real trial to us,often causing uncomfortable levels of stress..... No Radar, No SSB, Main Autopilot u/s, Satphone iffy, VHF Radio failed( Fortunately bought an old spare from anaother cruiser to see us through) B & G Wind - direction 100% garbage, wind speed sometimes garbage! ST deserves some better kit!
Hello both,well done on your arrival,we had far better sailing on that last leg than you did,we also arrived early (normal) and tacked up and down untill it became light.The Autohelm parts are with Didi (didier) owner of 'Sails Restaurant & Bar' (i think) not Crews Inn.
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed Crown Point very much in Tobago,you can walk to the airport,take a 15 min flight to Trinidad and sort out your Venezuelan visa if you need to,you need to tell them your there for just the day by the way,they asked us to come back in three days I think but when it was explained we flew in for the day,the visas were ready by 3pm.Its a great sail down to Los Tesitgos Isle from Crown Point!
Roy
Hi Roy,
ReplyDeleteTell them that Notty says not to miss Grenada, Prickly Bay is a good first port of call then you can go round to the main places later.
Not to miss Sandy Island, it is one of those uninhabited paradise islands where you can take fantastic photographs in clear blue and very warm water, sometimes there are stalls set up on the white sandy beaches by local traders who sail over is sturdy little boats and the anchorage is quite safe even though there is normally a 25-kt trade wind blowing to keep you cool and moving when you want to.
The nice thing about going island hopping through the Grenadines, Windward's, and Leeward's and all the way to St. Maarten is that you can see then next island you're heading for when you leave.
I know its a bit of a beat to windward and not that many yachts make the effort, but Mustique is well worth a visit, it's the cleanest place we ever visited in the whole Caribbean, they sweep the beaches every day.
You never know who you could bump into, any number of Celebs have fantastic homes there, Soni was lucky enough to be alongside the late Princess Margaret as she bought an ice cream in the local shop. Then there is the infamous Basil's Bar where they all hang out at night.
Don't miss St. Lucia either, head bang between the Pitons where you can pick up a buoy these days or maybe you can still anchor? Here you will find a whole new way of anchoring, drop the bow hook well forward in whatever sand you can find and make sure its well in, then get in the dinghy with a stern-line and find a nice palm tree to tie it round, just like you see in the movies!
You will have a wonderful time with all those Islands to visit so don't rush like the others do to get to St. Maarten, which is great but you could be in Epping Industrial Estate with palm trees once there so give the other islands a visit.
From Notty.
Off Jacana.
There in 1994/5.
Congrats on the passage!! Hope you get to meet up with Mike and Lara soon...
ReplyDeleteHye
ReplyDeleteI need the phone or mail of Enigma Compass 47
The yacht is in this days at the Herzlia Marina, Israel
Your cruise seems wonderfull
ATE LOGO
(soon ahead)
gerson