Doesn’t get much better
I would like to go on record to say that neither Rebecca nor I are huge fans of passage making. Long stretches of boredom punctuated by bits of drama are not really our thing. That said, we make passages to get where we need to be, need being defined in this case as getting some work done but it could also mean having fun and exploring.
As far as passages go, the 380 nm trip from St. Martin to Grenada couldn’t really have been much better. We had excellent conditions for the first 32 hours or so allowing us to sail on a reach at about 8.5 knots in reasonably comfortable seas (as comfortable as you can get 50 miles offshore). On Monday, the trip was punctuated by numerous squalls. Although we could see them all around us, we only ended up running through two. We prudently reduced canvas to the bare minimum before we hit the squalls so they did nothing but rinse some of the salt off the boat.
Unfortunately but not at all unexpectedly, the wind shifted to the south later the second day meaning that we no longer had the luxury of being able to sail the rhumb line to Grenada. We needed to run the engines to charge the batteries anyway though so that wasn’t a huge blow for us. Eventually the wind backed enough to allow us to fill our partially-furled genoa and we motor sailed the remainder of the trip.
Needless to say, we were all very happy to arrive to our favorite Caribbean marina, Port Louis. What made our arrival even better was the welcome party that greeted us on the dock. It feels good to return to a place where we have so many friends. We are very fortunate!
So long St. Martin. Until next time.
Saba in the distance. We still need to visit there.
We have nicknamed this autopilot Eddie. Eddie steered almost the entire trip for us.
Great conditions.
We fished much of the trip. Sadly no fish were interested in our sexy new lures.
Rain in the distance.
The engine didn’t move an inch the entire trip.
Making good speed.
We love the Leopard’s raised helm station.
Although the photos make the seas look flat, they were still a bit bumpy.
With rain comes rainbows!
Sunset Day 1.
The moon looked a LOT bigger than this pic shows.
Red at night…
Sunrise. Doesn’t this cloud look like a Christmas tree?
My only dolphin shot. Not great but I was getting hit by waves while trying to take it.
The traveller is easily accessible from the helm.
There is no better place to enjoy the colors of sunsets and sunrises than on a boat.
Grenada in the distance… we’re almost home.
Good to hear no problems with the temp motor mount! You gonna keep the wood for Med more!? Vbg!
Naw, that is for dock people. 🙂
Great passage. I was watching the grib files and was bummed when I saw the wind shift unfavorably for you.
How useful is the sight window on the jib?
It looks like it’s the size of a postage stamp.
Eric
Surprisingly useful, although you do still have to look around. As for the wind shift, I knew that it was supposed to clock. No big surprise.
Congrats y’all! Thanks for the pics.
De nada!
ZTC has a self tacking jib no? If so how do you like the new set up?
The self tacking jib is nice. In my mind an ideal scenario is a trad. genoa and then a self-tacking staysail, a la the way island packets are rigged.
That looks like a beautiful passage. Glad it worked out so nicely for you.
Hi guys,
Really glad this is all working out for you. Looks like a great passage… All tolled! When does the real work begin?…. You know with paying customers. I’m looking forward to the logging of this adventure…. And just a little bit jealous! Fair winds you two!
Charters will hopefully start in November after the boat show. We have a lot of non-paying work to do before that though.
ie, you guys will be at the Annapolis show?
No, Royce, we will not.
Great pics! This is tough seeing this while sitting in this damn office, whew! My wife and I are on a 2 year count down to get our boat down there.
Two years will blow by super quickly.
Awesome article Mike. And as always – Awesome photographs. Thanks for all you do and all the inspiring work you do here on the site !!!
Thank you for the nice comment, Craig.