Standing rigging

We started replacing the standing rigging last year when we installed new lower shrouds.  We had a problem when we started to replace the upper shrouds because the replacements we had on board were 8" to long.  We took them back to Florida at the end of last season and had Seco South  cut them to the proper size.  I went up the mast this morning and replaced the port side upper.

On my way up the mast I had to remove the spreader cap parts then once at the mast head tie off and loosen the main, spare main, and jib halyards so the the stemball fitting could be rotated and extracted.  Once the shroud was out I passed it down to Lesley and she took the stemball fitting off and put it on the new shroud.  Installed the new shroud and will replace the starboard shroud tomorrow - I don't want to work to hard!

New turnbuckle installed and attached to chain plate with spacers.

I went up the mast a second time to drill out a pop rivet at the stemball fitting.  Tomorrow we will replace the last shroud.

Stealing Water!

I think most cruisers have heard stories about some of the things that have been attributed to some of our French boating friends.  I've posted a few blog entries on anchoring etiquette (not) and we have had a few personal encounters with some of them coming into marinas late at night to top of the myriad of 1 - 2 liter plastic water bottles that they carry.  My intent here is not to malign the French but relate a real experience that we had today.

Late this afternoon, after returning from a visit to a local hardware store, we noticed a new boat out on the end of the dock near us.  The boater was scrambling with a hose on a pedestal opposite him and from our view, as we were walking back to our boat, it looked like he was tapped into our water spigot.  As we got closer we noticed that it was actually one pedestal down from us.  As we came up to the boater I asked him if he needed water and he said yes, he was going to wash his boat and fill his water tank.  I asked him if he intended to let the boater across the way from him know how much water he used and he said no.  I asked if he had asked the dockmaster to read his water meter and remove the lock and he said he did not know.  I then asked if he would like me to call the dockmaster and request that the water meter on his pedestal be read and the water turned on.  He said yes, please.

The dockmaster came down a little while later and contacted me and we went down to the slip in question.  An interesting discussion then unwound but the end result was that the boater did not have his water tap unlocked (read not willing to pay for it) and the dock master capped and locked the water spigot across the walkway.

The boater did not wash his boat or fill his tank yet, but I'm going out to read our meter and will check it in the morning to see if the water fairies struck in the night.

Christmas Day and a day later

We went ashore yesterday for a very nice brunch.  There were 6 British Couples, 2 American Couples, and several teens from one of the boats. We had a nice assortment of snacks, some wine, and as we were nearing the end a local (musician?) came along to sing for us.

And he also brought a friend along who was in charge of passing the bucket.

We came back to the boat and played some cribbage and took it easy for awhile.  Called Liz and Devin via Skype (IP45 Moosetracks) who are in Marathon waiting for weather heading to Andros and the Exumas.

At about 5:00 we headed back to town, tied up the dinghy then walked over to Firefly's for dinner.  On the way over we took another picture of the South Bay area and you can see how many more boats have come in for the holidays.

After a nice walk we arrived at Firefly's and hit the pool and had a cool beverage before dinner.  Had to take a picture of the Moon and Jupiter.

Dinner was good but as is often the case - we could have done much better aboard!

This morning we have been prepping for tomorrows 0300 departure heading for St Lucia.  We had 4 strings of Christmas lights strung all around the boat on the upper lifelines - took those off but will install again in St Lucia.  Topping off the water tank and stowing gear in preparation for our trip.  Today is Boxing Day and Customs/Immigration are open but but Overtime Fees will apply - will see how much later today.

Turns out 63 ECD for Customs and 50ECD for Immigration!!  Yikes, but we are cleared out and leaving in the morning.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve in Bequia was crazy.

We had strong winds that shifted to the South with rain just before dark.  There are so many boats here that with the boats dragging anchor, boats on moorings tangling with anchored boats, and boats still arriving that it was very stressful.  We pulled up about 25 ft of chain to give us a little more room to the stern with a boat on a mooring.  A boat next to us drug and picked up and moved and a German boat drug and then came back and tried to anchor on us.  I went to the bow and had a discussion with the skipper - he does not like my anchor float - I love it - he moved away.

Several days ago I posted "Anchoring 101" well it happened again last night.  On the radio - a woman on an American boat was complaining about the boats that are on moorings in the "anchor field".  Yes, you read it
right - how can these people take a mooring in an anchor field and interfere with the boats in the anchorage.

Common sense says that a boat that is going to anchor should stay clear of moorings period.  Irregardless of whether or not the mooring is official or not.  Cruising guides mention this, common sense tell you to, what am I missing?

Anyway:


We have 4 strings of multicolor lights on the top lifeline so we ran those for several hours and things settled down and we started dinner and had a nice relaxing evening.  We started watching CSI Season 11 and I am trying to finish a library book that we checked out for our Kindles.

Today we are headed ashore to do a Brunch with some friends at Green Boley's and then will walk over to The Firefly Plantation for a swim and Christmas Dinner.

Anchoring 101

Several evenings ago a Hunter Passage 450 came in and anchored up in front of us.  We watched as the couple repeatedly tried to anchor in an area that in the past has been very poor holding.  At some point I think the couple got the anchor to bite and they settled down for the evening.  We had light winds so unless we had a squall come thru they should be fine.  During the night we had some squalls and gusty winds and the next morning we noticed that the boat has drifted back from where it had been overnight.  Boast hailing port is Naples Florida, no flag, no anchor light.....

The winds continued to gust and the boat started to drag through the anchorage.  We watched as the couple came up on deck, went below deck, came back up etc several times before they started the engine and began the process of reanchoring.

Most people I think would change locations and try to reanchor in the hope that the holding might be better but not this couple.  They tried and tried and just kept dragging.  Their ultimate solution was to drop a second anchor as they began dragging back into several (2) moorings.  During the day yesterday the boat started out in from of a mooring with the dinghy dragging over the mooring but then by late in the afternoon they were located just behind the mooring.

Late yesterday evening a large metal boat came in and took the other mooring and it was obvious that the anchored boat was to close to the one on a mooring.

This morning, light squalls and shifting winds and I noticed that both boats have fenders out.

I think I would have moved!
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UPDATE - The German aboard the moored boat called Daffodil Marine Services (owner of the mooring) and tried to describe the issue with the boat anchored in the mooring field.  I  came on the radio and helped explain the situation.  The proprietress of Daffodils said that she would come out and try to sort out the problem.  She came out and spoke to the owner of the Hunter then came over and talked with us.  She said that she had explained the situation to the owner but that he indicated that he had been anchored there for several days and did not think he should have to move - CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!  She then said that she was going to offer him a free mooring if he would pick up anchor and move.  A smart move on her part because he was interfering with 3 moorings.

We watched as Hunter picked up their main anchor (Bruce on chain rode) which was tangled on a mooring.  They sorted that out then had to dodge the German boat and then a French boat which was anchored very nearly on top of their second anchor.  I went over in our dinghy and offered to help but was refused.  Slowly they picked up the rope rode with the help of one of the Daffodil crew and are now situated on a mooring off our port stern.

SY Lionheart

Yesterday evening just before sundown a really big black mega yacht sailed in came well up into the bay,

gybed, headed downwind

and began dropping headsails.

 Then tacked and dropped the main

Just before the main was lowered two crew members climbed up onto the boom and started dropping what looked like sail ties.

Beautiful aluminum boat.

Christmas Dinner

We got up yesterday morning and decided to walk over to the Firefly Plantation and check out the doings for Christmas.

We checked with the bartender and he showed us the menu and said that we were welcome to come out early and relax by the pool.

So we order a cool beverage, Lesley had a Lime Squash and I had a Hairoun and we made a dinner reservation.  We plan to walk out early Christmas day and relax by the pool, have dinner then take a cab back to the town dock.

On our way back to the boat we noticed that there were significantly fewer boats in the South anchorage than in the past.

We stopped as we got closer to the town dock and noticed that setup is nearing completion for Christmas festivities.

We just finished running the water maker and I'm going into town to pick up a stainless rubstrake that "FixMan" modified for me.

Small World

We stopped off to check out a Manta on the way back to the boat today and it turned out we know the people from our stay at Whittaker Pointe Marina in Oriental NC in 2007!  We did not have a boat card with us so came back to get one and were hailed by "Page One" asking if we knew Glen Roger - I said yes I know his but have never met him and explained how we've communicated via email and plan to finally meet in person this season.  Went back over to the Manta "Penelope" and had a nice visit and picked up a several new movies to watch as well.

Found out in the process that The Firefly Plantation is having a Christmas dinner special and an open swimming pool for the day so we are going to walk over tomorrow and check it out and perhaps sign up.  Would be nice to walk over, go swimming, have a nice Christmas dinner then walk back to the boat.

Yachts in Admiralty Bay, Bequia

This morning after putting the coffee on we noticed that we had a new neighbor.

Skat (9906) had come in sometime during the night and was anchored just across the Bay.  We've seen this mega yacht several times over the past few years - sometimes with the helicopter aboard but this morning it was not.  More info on the yacht Here.

There are also nicer yachts anchored or moored close by, like this one.

We've also seen this yacht before and tried to talk with the owner last year - but he does not speak enough English nor do we speak enough French to have a meaningful conversation.

We are making water this morning and plan to head into town later for a few things from the store and some ice cream. 
 

Mainsail - Update!

A few days ago I posted a note that we had what we thought was an issue with a fray or some chafe on the leech of our new mainsail.  I contacted Travis at Mack Sails and he asked that we send him a few pictures when we got the sail down to inspect it.

This afternoon, just before a Sundowner toast to Steve Blakely, we took the sail down.  What a relief - it looked like a bunch of lint (probably individual threads from something had been stictched loosely into the leech seam.  We were able to pull the material out without unstitching the sail and got it right back up inside the mast.

I sent a FALSE ALARM email to Mack Sails.  This was quite a relief for us as we just did not want to have to deal with any sail related issues from out here - now we don't.......

We had good WiFi service today so we Skyped a few folks - Devin, who starts his cruising adventures tomorrow, John and Anne in England, and some family.

Lesley finished waxing the cockpit and we are getting ready for showers now.

Szechuan Beef, snow peas and steamed rice for dinner.

Leech Line Rescued

We pulled some of the jib out late yesterday and removed a piece of webbing cover and I was able to rescue the leech line.  Have it secured so that it can't disappear inside the leech again (I hope).  If the wind cooperates will drop the main today and see what up with the chafe on it.  Interesting as the spot that looks frayed does not touch anything!

I was able to download a few library books for the Kindles earlier this morning and then started making water.  

Bequia

We left Carriacou this morning at 7:00am and motorsailed till we were just approaching Canouan then sailed on over.  Have a couple of sail issues - new main (less than 6 hours on it) has a frayed spot on the leach about halfway up - will be in touch with Mack Sails on this.  The Yankee decided to eat the leech line (it disappeared into the leach of the sail.  Will drop the sail tomorrow and try to pull it back out and secure it better - sail was really sloppy without the line properly tightened.

Taking it easy now and will start working on the sails in the morning.

Dinghy Valve Replaced

Went ashore this morning and removed and replaced the defective air valve on our AB Inflatable.

Photo of old valve














Photo showing the inside of the damaged valve

Photo of new valve and tool













The old valve is loosened while the tube is still inflated.  Once the air is out of the tube I finished unscrewing the old valve making sure to hold the internal nut thru the Hypalon.

 











Old valve removed showing the internal nut


I screwed the new valve into the old nut after cleaning the Hypalon with 303 UV Protectant.  Once the valve was snug but not tight we reinflated the air chamber and then finished tightening the valve.

While I was looking for a replacement valve and tool I found that there are at least 4 different valves and tools.  We now have a spare valve and the proper tool and will probably not have to do this again!


 

Great trip to Carriacou

We left St Georges just before 9:00 and got here just before 3:00.  Thanks WindGuru - a sailors weather friend.  Winds were just south of east with very small seas and we had a great trip over.  Just before we got to Kick-em Jenny we saw a large pod of small whales - blowing and waving with their tails.  As we neared the exclusion zone near the underwater volcano Lesley smelled sulfur - I freaked out and went and checked the batteries.

We made water for 3 hours this morning and filled the tank and then went for a swim after we dropped anchor.  Hoping for a green flash tonight - hope I didn't jinx it!

We are now anchored and ashore at the Lazy Turtle having a cool adult beverage.

Dinghy Repair

The air valves and tool for our AB Inflatable arrived yesterday and we plan to move on to Carriacou in the morning.  Once we get to Carriacou we will take the dink ashore and do a beach repair/replacement of the air valve.  WiFi here is extremely bad so will have to wait to upload pictures of the repair.

The boat is stocked (freezer and reefer are packed full), the boat is prepped and we are ready to head North now.  We've spoken with Kim and Sandi (IP-40) and plan to meet up with them as we travel North this year.

We are also looking forward to meeting up with the Roger family (IP-38) for the first time as we move North as well.

Dinner tonight is Four Cheese Ravioli with marinara sauce, mixed salad and a baguette!