Our ARC safety inspection passed muster so it was on with more jobs and preparation. We decided to increase the size of the pin which prevents the Watt & Sea bracket from turning - up from 8mm to 10mm. The trouble was that 10mm drill bit broke and all the kit in the chandlers is... Continue Reading →
How to breathe underwater
This appeared in the June 2016 Yachting Monthly.
R & R (running repairs)
The improved weather revealed the delights of the British Virgin Islands with the blue skies, steady wind and varied scenery between the islands. There was a huge density of yachts but nothing like the Solent on a summer weekend. We almost regretted bringing our arrival into Nanny Cay forward with the improved weather and, when... Continue Reading →
Soggy BVI arrival
Dawn found us approaching Round Rock Passage as planned and we passed into Sir Francis Drake Channel between the main British Virgin Islands just as the heavens opened necessitating the donning of full wet weather gear for the first time since European waters. Unable to speak to the Customs on the phone, the marina assured... Continue Reading →
Lightning all night
We were keen to take a look at the prop before weighing anchor as we had experienced a âknockingâ from the prop area on passage from Antigua when we had started motoring. The noise had diminished when we ran the engine in astern then disappeared. An inspection with the snorkel revealed nothing untoward and we... Continue Reading →
St. Kitts – nearly
We had a good sail to St. Kitts with a fast broad reach all the way to the south of Nevis. Approaching Basseterre we heard âTorchâ calling the marina with no response and they chose to anchor off. We entered but the only space was to raft alongside a French yacht moored against the quay... Continue Reading →
Jolly good preparation
Having returned to the UK early from my Caribbean cruise to attend the England Counties rugby game in Scotland, I had âcashed inâ son Oliverâs flights to Bermuda and back from the Azores as his selection would have meant he was touring with the team to Canada during the period when he was to have... Continue Reading →
Jolly good spot
We have spent a couple of days here in Jolly Harbour and they have been very enjoyable, it being a surprisingly good destination for all sorts of reasons. The Marina is sheltered and well serviced. The cross section of shops, restaurants and bars is very extensive and the overall 'feel' of the place is relaxing... Continue Reading →
Antigua landfall
We have âsigned offâ our cruise with another great sail. F5 on the beam making 7-8 knots all day â big seas - great stuff! John has become the perfect crew member, Happy to steer all day, knows where everything is and how it works, needing very little prompting when decisions are required - brilliant... Continue Reading →
Lee ho
The passage north has taken us from the Windward Islands to the Leeward Islands and, unfortunately the only discernible difference is that, on this occasion, we have had rain and I mean heavy, relentless rain with absolutely no wind. We ended up motoring up the West coast of Guadeloupe, close inshore for the best possible... Continue Reading →