It's been six days since our first attempt at a BVI to St. Maarten passage. During that time, we've installed a new outhaul, run three new reefing lines through the boom, reconfigured both the jib and the jennicker sheets, cleaned all the stainless steel, fixed the starboard air conditioner (again) and built and installed new tank racks (stay tuned for an individual post describing that fiasco). That's more work that I did in Virginia all last year! We've had time to monitor the weather for the best window to make the jump. We've re-provisioned, had a long talk with the dogs and are set to leave tonight for St. Maarten.
Now mind you, it's not a long sail as sails go, just over 90 miles. It's the point of sail that kicks your ass. This passage is a "passage to weather." There's a saying in the BVI, "Nothing goes to weather better than a 747." Going to weather means we're sailing into the wind. For those non-sailors out there, the physics of sailing allows you to sail in any direction EXCEPT the direction from which the wind is blowing. For example, St. Maarten is east of the BVI and guess where the trade winds blow in the Caribbean? You got it, they blow from the east. Some might ask, "Why Rick and Jim, why subject yourselves to such a beating from dear old Mother Nature? You seem like pretty smart guys, what's the point?" Well, we understand that in St. Maarten, there's Starbucks and Jim has it bad for a chi tea.
If all goes well, you can expect a post on Saturday detailing our successful crossing.
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2 comments:
We'll be following your travels! Hope that everyone, including Cooper and Coco, is adapting to life on the sea. In the meantime, your land-loving neighbors are just missing you. Safe travels!
Great story...beautiful pics. I guess there's always some trouble even in paradise! I drove down Aspen Lane, you should see the mess your tenants have made of the yard. (bet that made ya sweat...just kidding LOL)
Miss you guys! Stay safe, love sweetie D ;))
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