Monday, February 14, 2011

Jan 27 Provodinciales, Caicos

We left Mayaguana and the wind was about 20 knots right on the rhumb line for Sandbore Channel and the seas at first were about 8 feet, so we crashed to weather making about 2 knots VMG( velocity made good) (ie on our rhumb line), Later in the afternoon the sea state calmed to 3 foot rollers with about a foot of chop and we were able to speed up to 6 knots. The distance was only 48 miles but it took us from 7:00 AM to 7 :30 PM to cover that distance. The route from Sandbore Channel to Sapadilla Bay is only about 9 miles but it was pitch black and there are coral heads to be avoided. Fortunately I had laid down a track from Sandbore to the Bay and I followed it but I was still tense as

the darkness was pretty complete and I hoped that the track I laid down last year allowed enough error to keep me off the rocks. In addition to everything else we lost our front nav light cover and it was showing a white light out front so I was concerned in case we should run into any fools other than ourselves out on the banks at night.

We dropped anchor down in the bay in 8 feet of water and finally at 9:30 PM were able to get to the mess down below that was thrown about by the high seas early in the morning.

We went to South Side marina the next day and were able to check in with customs and Simon took us into Provo to the grocery store to get some necessary provisions.

Later that evening Southside provided a grill for the cruisers to grill their own meats and the cruisers brought a dish to pass, and Southside provided ice cream and the toppings for desert. A great time was had by all.

We plan to hang out here in Sapadilla until Sunday and then take a slip for a few days at our favorite marina south of Florida, Southside, before moving on the Puerto Rico


Feb 2

We hooked up with Daniel and Chantal of Que Syrah for our trip to PR.

As we left the anchorage the wind was blowing at around 20 knots on the nose and it took us about 16 hours to make Great Sand Cay to anchor for the night.


Feb 3

At 09:30 we left the anchorage and headed out for PR. The wind was consistently around 25 knots and we ended up tacking a few times to make the rhumb line for Cape Cabron on the NE tip of the DR. As dawn broke in the morning we saw the steep mountains and we came up to Cape Cabron at about 1300. Just as we were passing the point we lost all of our navigation instruments, yep, wind speed, direction, depth sounder, chart plotter, all went dead.

Fortunately Daniel took the lead and lead us safely past the rocks and shoals of this area. About two hours later, one by one, the instruments started to come back on line and by 16:00 all were working. Don't ask me what happened , I have no idea but I was grateful to have the GPS and chart plotter back.

As we were coming out of hourglass shoals headed for Montague we sighted a pod of humpback whales cavorting about a mile away. The whales would leap out of the water and splash and roll. As I took my eyes off of the whales a pod of dolphins passed under us.


Henry Morgan indulging in his

favorite activity

Passing Ila Desecheo into Mayaguez there was a line of rain showers we passed through and we finally anchored at 17:00 local time.

Feb 5

We called customs to check in the next morning and were able to get cleared in over the phone so we then headed for Boqueron .

Kathleen indulging in her favorite activity

On Sunday they set up a rear projection TV in the main street of Boqueron and we watched the Superbowl right there in the streets. In Puerto Rico it is legal to sell beer on Sunday so I was right were I wanted to be with the Superbowl on TV and a cold one in hand.

Daniel got his outboard fixed today as the rubber inside the prop was worn and would not allow the prop to turn. He ended up having to buy a whole
new prop and his dingy is running as good as new.

We have moved on to Ponce and Daniel has rented a car and invited us to accompany them to San Juan.



The day was quite nice and Kathleen and I had a fun time sightseeing in the old town.We are still in Ponceas I am waiting for a part for the generator and weneed to get our mail. After we get our mail we will move on to Vieques and then to the Us Virgin Islands






















The captain at the helm








Southside Office
















Lobsters on the grill











our host Simon








Daniel and Chontal






















View of Port of San Juan from the parking garage














The old fort












A sign in the casino ( a caution for sore losers?)












Notice the bird ( the one with feathers) is missing a foot-
perhaps a pirate bird?














Carriages in the park













A sidewalk view down a street in old San Juan































Pigeons galore




























































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