Nevis to Falmouth Harbour, Antigua
Departed 0306h for Antigua. Kent, James, and George got us underway; Tom and I stayed in bed. Sleep last night was good--no dragging anchor, quiet (no squeaking dinghy) and not a lot of boat movement. No problem getting underway, but there was a loose block and pin that we almost lost. Weather was dark that early, but with a lot of lightening. I was thinking that we were going to have a rough sail. And I was right.
We motored for a while, then raised sail and cut the engines. How nice to be actually sailing! However, the wind direction wasn't favorable for either speed or a direct route to Antigua. The fastest we sailed was 7 knots, maybe a little more. The maximum apparent wind speed was 24 knots. We passed a tiny island called Redonda, and Montserrat and Kent said that he saw Guadeloupe as we were approaching Antigua. In order to sail, we had to go NE, which took us north of Antigua and halfway to the southern tip of Barbuda. We then tacked and came back down. Sometime after tacking the wind died and we motored the rest of the way. English Harbour was our original destination but we bagged that because Falmouth was closer.
During the trip, Tom took the helm for a while and did a great job, after he got a feel for how the boat responded to the helm. Kent, George, and Tom shared the helm. Nancy took a turn...literally. She took the helm, got caught up in conversation, and inadvertently changed course to Montserrat!
We anchored In Falmouth at about 1800h. Everyone, particularly Kent, was exhausted. The sailing was punishing--the wind was fickle, the seas rough--the boat was being slammed and banged around mercilessly. Most of us managed to get a nap in here and there during the day, but it wasn't good sleep. The anchorage was nice; hardly anyone was there. The wind was a bit light, but it was dark, quiet, and calm. Black beans, rice, and sausage, and a salad for dinner, then to bed.
Thus ends another day on the Ship of Fools.
We motored for a while, then raised sail and cut the engines. How nice to be actually sailing! However, the wind direction wasn't favorable for either speed or a direct route to Antigua. The fastest we sailed was 7 knots, maybe a little more. The maximum apparent wind speed was 24 knots. We passed a tiny island called Redonda, and Montserrat and Kent said that he saw Guadeloupe as we were approaching Antigua. In order to sail, we had to go NE, which took us north of Antigua and halfway to the southern tip of Barbuda. We then tacked and came back down. Sometime after tacking the wind died and we motored the rest of the way. English Harbour was our original destination but we bagged that because Falmouth was closer.
During the trip, Tom took the helm for a while and did a great job, after he got a feel for how the boat responded to the helm. Kent, George, and Tom shared the helm. Nancy took a turn...literally. She took the helm, got caught up in conversation, and inadvertently changed course to Montserrat!
We anchored In Falmouth at about 1800h. Everyone, particularly Kent, was exhausted. The sailing was punishing--the wind was fickle, the seas rough--the boat was being slammed and banged around mercilessly. Most of us managed to get a nap in here and there during the day, but it wasn't good sleep. The anchorage was nice; hardly anyone was there. The wind was a bit light, but it was dark, quiet, and calm. Black beans, rice, and sausage, and a salad for dinner, then to bed.
Thus ends another day on the Ship of Fools.
posted by Teri S. at 11:49 AM
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