We were out of the water in record time yesterday, arriving after a 1 hour trip from Le Phare Bleu we drove right into the lift well and were out of the water in about 10 minutes. After a short power wash we were blocked and started on our post haulout checklist. Used On and Off to clean the mineral deposits from the hull at the waterline then cleaned the prop and keel cooler.
Changer the filters, oil, flushed the raw water loop and pulled the heat exchanger and impeller.
Today we used cleaner wax on the hull then applied a UV protectant to the hull. Finished removing unused provisions and filled the waste line with Vinegar and letting that soak for several days.
A long day in the yard but we had a nice breeze and we are now taking it easy in the "Yellow House".
Oh, and we're still eating good, hot Italian sausage, home made marinara sauce over Penne pasta, mixed salad (Lesley's red wine vinaigrette), fresh bread and butter.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Trivia - as haulout prep continues
We spent another day prepping for summer haul out. As we decommissioned some of our systems some trivia for anyone interested. We moved as far North this year as Portsmouth, Dominica and are now back where we started in Grenada.
In 5 months time we have an additional 48 hours on the engine, 98 hours on the genset, made 1480 gallons of water (nearly 300 5 gallon jugs), ate incredibly well (still have some of our original stock of frozen meat aboard), and neither of us has gained any weight.
We are still speaking to each other, have met new people and had nice visits with folks that we already knew.
The people in Grenada are super and in particular the people down here on the South end of the Island are treating us very well.
How many miles? Who knows or cares but it has been another great season in the Caribbean.
In 5 months time we have an additional 48 hours on the engine, 98 hours on the genset, made 1480 gallons of water (nearly 300 5 gallon jugs), ate incredibly well (still have some of our original stock of frozen meat aboard), and neither of us has gained any weight.
We are still speaking to each other, have met new people and had nice visits with folks that we already knew.
The people in Grenada are super and in particular the people down here on the South end of the Island are treating us very well.
How many miles? Who knows or cares but it has been another great season in the Caribbean.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Prep for haul out
We started prepping for summer haul out in earnest today. Took the anchor chain out, cleaned, rinsed, repainted marks and once it dries (just rained again) will flip it end to end and reinstall on the boat.
Between rain showers we took the outboard off and started tearing it down. Several of the parts on the steering shaft/pivot assembly have rusted and are beyond repair so we are taking the entire assembly home and will rebuild this summer. Some of the new parts are painted a slightly different color - Tohatsu - but our OB is a 2000 Nissan 9.8HP 2 stroke. Once everything is put back together we will have a Nissatsu!
Between rain showers we took the outboard off and started tearing it down. Several of the parts on the steering shaft/pivot assembly have rusted and are beyond repair so we are taking the entire assembly home and will rebuild this summer. Some of the new parts are painted a slightly different color - Tohatsu - but our OB is a 2000 Nissan 9.8HP 2 stroke. Once everything is put back together we will have a Nissatsu!
Outboard with steering shaft/pivot assembly removed
Badly rusted steering shaft/pivot
Part was so rusted that grease in the lower zerk fitting made no difference
Tilt handle, one bolt rusted completely thru
Chain locker
Several weeks ago there was some discussion on the IP List concerning the louvered doors at the chain locker on various Island Packets. On our 350 we have a single door and the louvers are normal - slanted down and toward the living space.
On our boat we had occasion to notice some mud and water dripping onto the bed just under the door so I added a splash shield. Since we picked up anchor and moved into the marina this morning I decided to take a picture of the shield - and some of the splashed material from the locker.
The shield is epoxy coated 1/4" plywood painted white - much easier to clean than mud coated teak in a louvered area.
On our boat we had occasion to notice some mud and water dripping onto the bed just under the door so I added a splash shield. Since we picked up anchor and moved into the marina this morning I decided to take a picture of the shield - and some of the splashed material from the locker.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Boat work today
I dove on the hull and cleaned a few barnacles, some sludge and came up with 20 pounds of the infamous "Hayden" monster shrimp - shrimp scampi tonight for dinner. Just joking, 20 grams of shrimp perhaps but we are having cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, fresh baguette, and salad with Lesley's red wine vinaigrette.
Hundreds of the small shrimp were attached to my dive skin but considering I spent over an hour under the boat they had plenty of time to find me. Also cleaned the thru hulls and the keel cooler and the freezer is already back down to 11 degrees. Not bad for a large freezer cabinet. We still have strip steaks, pot roast, veal, lamb, pork chops, bacon and some chicken left so we are now in eat-it-all mode!
Tomorrow I will take the scuba tanks in for a refill and also drop off the propane bottle for a refill - we are averaging 3 - 4 propane bottles in a 6 month season so we are definitely using the stove!
Hundreds of the small shrimp were attached to my dive skin but considering I spent over an hour under the boat they had plenty of time to find me. Also cleaned the thru hulls and the keel cooler and the freezer is already back down to 11 degrees. Not bad for a large freezer cabinet. We still have strip steaks, pot roast, veal, lamb, pork chops, bacon and some chicken left so we are now in eat-it-all mode!
Tomorrow I will take the scuba tanks in for a refill and also drop off the propane bottle for a refill - we are averaging 3 - 4 propane bottles in a 6 month season so we are definitely using the stove!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Calvigny Island
We left St George's late this morning after successfully completing preprovisioning for next year. We have a good supply of condiments and canned items that should see us through the next 6 months in the Caribbean. We will bring back fresh spices, 50lbs of frozen meat, and items that we cannot find in the Islands.
The trip around the corner is always bumpy and today was no exception but the trip is not a long one so it was not bad. We anchored in some shallower water but the drop off into deeper water was to steep so holding was not good. We picked up anchor and moved to deeper water and are now safely anchored for the next 3 days. Tomorrow we will start removing lines and sails and stowing gear. We have a small amount of polishing and waxing to complete and I need to clean and then pickle the water maker.
The trip around the corner is always bumpy and today was no exception but the trip is not a long one so it was not bad. We anchored in some shallower water but the drop off into deeper water was to steep so holding was not good. We picked up anchor and moved to deeper water and are now safely anchored for the next 3 days. Tomorrow we will start removing lines and sails and stowing gear. We have a small amount of polishing and waxing to complete and I need to clean and then pickle the water maker.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Music for this evening
Forgot to add - music for this evening is a very good John Hiatt CD and a great recording from the Afro Celt Sound System.
Time for dinner!
Time for dinner!
Prepping for haulout
We arrived Port Louis Marina, St George's, Grenada after a nice trip down from Carriacou. We filled the water tank using the watermaker on the way South and have started cleaning getting ready for our 25 April haul for the summer season.
Met with a local WiFi Hot Spot provider and will get with them later in the week to look at two access points in Prickly Bay. Had a great dinner of wood fired pizza and a nice garden salad then came back to the boat and watched a few episodes of 24 Season 8. Realized I do not have episodes 16 - 19 so will stop watching the series till I can locate these files.
Today was spent cleaning stainless and waxing the topsides. I use Wichinox and a tooth brush to do tight spots and a rag with the same compound to wipe down the stanchions. Lesley uses Collinite "Insulator" wax as it resists cleaners and really holds up well. I will pull a few fittings off tomorrow and soak in Spotless Stainless - good for little parts, blocks etc but way to time consuming and trouble for general use aboard.
I also took cockpit cushions apart and cleaned the covers and rebedded some hardware in the propane locker that appeared to be leaking.
Lesley is making chili pork stew, homemade cornbread, and steamed Basmati rice for dinner. Chocolate pudding and fresh whipped cream for desert.
It's past five now - bye!
Met with a local WiFi Hot Spot provider and will get with them later in the week to look at two access points in Prickly Bay. Had a great dinner of wood fired pizza and a nice garden salad then came back to the boat and watched a few episodes of 24 Season 8. Realized I do not have episodes 16 - 19 so will stop watching the series till I can locate these files.
Today was spent cleaning stainless and waxing the topsides. I use Wichinox and a tooth brush to do tight spots and a rag with the same compound to wipe down the stanchions. Lesley uses Collinite "Insulator" wax as it resists cleaners and really holds up well. I will pull a few fittings off tomorrow and soak in Spotless Stainless - good for little parts, blocks etc but way to time consuming and trouble for general use aboard.
I also took cockpit cushions apart and cleaned the covers and rebedded some hardware in the propane locker that appeared to be leaking.
Lesley is making chili pork stew, homemade cornbread, and steamed Basmati rice for dinner. Chocolate pudding and fresh whipped cream for desert.
It's past five now - bye!
Friday, April 13, 2012
We went ashore for dinner last night and tried the recently opened "Slipway Restaurant". The menu for each day is set by the chef and includes several fish and meat dishes and also several salads.
We had very nice arugula, roasted squash, walnut and toasted goat cheese salads, Lesley had grilled Mahi Mahi topped with a fresh lentil vinaigrette and I had pork paillard with a fresh tomato and herb vinaigrette. Both dished were accompanied with roasted potatoes and hericot vert.
Service was good, the food was great and the prices were good as well.
We plan to move South to St Georges, Grenada in the morning where we will pre provision for next season and start to decommission for summer storage.
Will also meet IP-40 owner Kim from Kewaydin.
We had very nice arugula, roasted squash, walnut and toasted goat cheese salads, Lesley had grilled Mahi Mahi topped with a fresh lentil vinaigrette and I had pork paillard with a fresh tomato and herb vinaigrette. Both dished were accompanied with roasted potatoes and hericot vert.
Service was good, the food was great and the prices were good as well.
We plan to move South to St Georges, Grenada in the morning where we will pre provision for next season and start to decommission for summer storage.
Will also meet IP-40 owner Kim from Kewaydin.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Regatta Day 4
I went out in the dinghy this morning and was able to get some good pictures of the start of several of the races and also the start of the double ender race.
The double enders start at the beach Le Mans style, which was interesting to watch.
Headed to Grenada in the morning after clearing out.
The double enders start at the beach Le Mans style, which was interesting to watch.
Headed to Grenada in the morning after clearing out.
Regatta Day 3
I decided to try and catch the finish of the double ender races yesterday from the dinghy. I did and I ended up having to run (motor) for my life as a very jazzed up crew on the winning boat crashed into the dinghy trailing the committee boat and then headed straight for me. I got out of the way but what a finish.
First the smaller 3 person double enders crossed the line. Photos are of places one - three
Then the Larger double enders started crossing the line - bedlam as the crews shouted at the smaller boats to get out of the way!
First the smaller 3 person double enders crossed the line. Photos are of places one - three
Then the Larger double enders started crossing the line - bedlam as the crews shouted at the smaller boats to get out of the way!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Regatta Day 2
I walked up to Hamilton Point yesterday so that I could watch the start of the second day of racing. Weather was still good with a strong easterly wind blowing. I will upload images once internet access improves - right now it is terrible.
On the way back from Hamilton point - picture of Gra'inne at anchor.
I was out of position for the start of the double ender race but today I was able to get right at the finish line so go some good pictures. Will upload those tomorrow after I try again to get a few pictures of the start of the last race of Lower Bay.
Start of J-24 Race
One boat tries to force it's way back
Penalty turn
Start of double ender race - I was in the wrong place
On the way back from Hamilton point - picture of Gra'inne at anchor.
I was out of position for the start of the double ender race but today I was able to get right at the finish line so go some good pictures. Will upload those tomorrow after I try again to get a few pictures of the start of the last race of Lower Bay.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Bequia Regatta Day 1
We had a beautiful day for the first race of the 2012 Bequia Easter Regatta. The start was confusing as there were so many boats, 5 or 6 classes, starting every few minutes. As the J-24s started there was a report of an injury and one of the boats withdrew and requested medical assistance.
The boats disappear around West Cay headed toward Friendship Bay before returning for the finish off Lower Bay.
I'm off to see the start of the double enders race now. Hope to have some photos later today.
In the meantime Bequia Easter Regatta, 2012
 |
| Go Grenada |
 |
| J-46 Cruising Class "Breezing Up" |
 |
| Cruising Class 2 |
The boats disappear around West Cay headed toward Friendship Bay before returning for the finish off Lower Bay.
I'm off to see the start of the double enders race now. Hope to have some photos later today.
In the meantime Bequia Easter Regatta, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Bequia Easter Regatta
Boats continued to arrive thru the day yesterday so I took the dink out
and took a few pictures. The prep on shore is obvious with the locals
rigging and cleaning the double enders. Those coming in from off Island
came by boat towing J-24s and other racing boats. Those participating
in the Cruisers Class races are a little less obvious.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Caribbean Compass Writers Brunch
We attended the annual Caribbean Compass Writers Brunch at the invitation of the newspaper publisher Sally Erdle. While were are not direct contributors to the publication, yet there was an article written in last months issue that was stimulated, in part, by our recent experience clearing in at Roseau, Dominica Article here . The guest speaker was Chris Doyle (Doyle Cruising Guides) and we met others who have recently contributed to the publication.
The brunch was held at Macks Pizzeria and the food was great. We had curried beef, grilled Mahi-Mahi, an assortment of salad and cooked veggies, pigeon peas and rice, rolls and butter.
As would be expected, Chris came by boat!
The brunch was held at Macks Pizzeria and the food was great. We had curried beef, grilled Mahi-Mahi, an assortment of salad and cooked veggies, pigeon peas and rice, rolls and butter.
As would be expected, Chris came by boat!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Getting ready for the Regatta
We took a nice long walk on the South side of Bequia on Friday starting out near Moon hole and then coming all the way back to Admiralty Bay. We took pictures of a few of the double enders that will be racing in the upcoming regatta. The double enders are based on the 26 foot New England whale boats of the early 19th Century.
Grenadines International Airlines!
Double ender at the fishing port
Bequia Pride
Island WiFi
Whaling Station
It's only a pod
Frangiapani
Cruise Ship
Gra'inne at anchor
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