Cruising the Windward Islands

Doris Colgate's diary of this great adventure Spring 2010

Forty-seven happy Offshore Sailing Club members joined us in this special area of the Caribbean, sailing on five big beautiful 51 footers in crystal clear azure waters. We did the cruise in two legs, with 25 on the first and and 24 on the second (including Steve and Doris of course).

Diary author - Doris Colgate - Offshore Sailing School CEO and President

It had been several years since we've led a cruise with our graduates and it was very special. We were celebrating two milestones - Offshore Sailing School's 46th anniversary and our 40th wedding anniversary. Of the more than 70 cruises that we've shared with Offshore grads, this one was right up there at the top.

Our Club cruises are an exclusive benefit only for Offshore graduates. It doesn't matter which course you've taken or when. All we ask is you come with your boat shoes and bathing suits and live the dream of cruising in paradise. On this cruise, six of our graduates did both legs. Check your calendars and mark these dates for our next set of Offshore Cruising Club adventures.

And now for the Diary of our 2010 Offshore Cruising Club in the Windward Islands

LEG 1 - ST. LUCIA TO GRENADA

Our fleet leaving Marigot Bay on Leg 1

At 12 noon on the dot on April 30, we left the dock in Marigot Bay on our five 51.5 Moorings bareboats. It felt good to be out in the breeze, finished at last with a myriad of details handled so well by Leg 1 cruise leader, Andy Cross.Andy has been branch manager of our Captiva Island and Ft. Myers Beach (Florida) branches for several years and a certified U.S. Sailing instructor at the Coastal Passage Making level.

No lost luggage. No one missing. All crews checked out of customs and immigration by appointed skippers on each boat. Everyone in seemingly good spirits as we adjusted to "island time" and got to know our crewmates.

We were 25 in total, four to 6 on each boat - with Andy and his fun-tastic wife Jill as cruise leaders aboard Chances and Steve and I as cruise leaders emeritus aboard Mythos. Aboard our boat were Sue and Frank, Geoffrey, and Nancy. On Prosecutor, Jeff was the appointed skipper with John as navigator, and crewmates Pauli, Al and Jane. Vivo Libre was crewed by Owen and his buddies Chip, Rob, Chick and Tom. on Changes Andy and Jill were joined by Connie, Magda and John. Dale was the appointed skipper and Dan navigator, with Erich and George on Tatonka.

Roughly two hours later we were greeted out in open water by the first of many boat boys, driving multicolored skiffs. In

Nancy and Sue watch for boat boys as we approach Between the Pitons

”Experience" James was insistent on being our guide as we approached the bay called Between the Pitons.

Our first night aboard - Between the Pitons

The Pitons were in full view for much of this leg - a close reach in light air and relatively smooth seas. James would show us our national park moorings off the shores of the exclusive Jalousie Plantation Resort. Along the way we passed Soufriere, a crowded looking hillscape known for bothersome boat boys.

As the guide book says, the winds and current are strong in this bay and it was a bit rolly, but quite soothing and perfect for our first night aboard with new crewmates and the first of nightly amazing sunsets.

Geoffrey steers a steady course one of his shifts on the helm

As we prepared dinner, gusts rolled off the land between the peaks and from the sea in a rhythmic pattern, shaking our halyards as the boat slipped side to side. We got used to cooking aboard once again with a Greek salad made underway, served with fresh baguette bought in Marigot Bay before we left. Sue took charge with Nancy as sous chef, serving up a delicious chicken dinner. The other four boats were close together on moorings just south of us, enjoying their first dinner aboard too. It was a somewhat windless night, as we gently rolled to sleep.

Day 2 - an exciting seven hour sail to Bequia

Our ETD was 7:30 a.m. on the second day of our trip. By 5:30 a.m. crew were bustling around. It was gusty, portending an exciting day under sail. And what a sail it was! A little over seven hours on a close reach with gusts estimated to 30 between lulls. Our crew enjoyed sharing the helm, 30 minutes at a time, in short seas and waves around 4-7 feet. Flying fish, brown boobies, even a black whale in the distance jumped at least six times to my and Nancy's delight as we sat on the high side looking out to sea between St. Lucia and St. Vincents.

Sue handles the helm with ease on way to Bequia

Gusts were strongest and seas higher in the open waters between St. Lucia and St. Vincents, and St. Vincents and Bequia. As advised by Steve and Andy, our boat and several others around us motorsailed to stay on schedule. Vivo Libre was ahead of our fleet nearly all the way to Admiralty Bay in Bequia.

A lovely schooner called Windrose, which shared our anchorage last night, sailed by mid-afternoon. As we approached Admiralty Bay, a red and green skiff came way out with a guy called African motioning wildly. Apparently he had a propeller for Prosecutor's dinghy. Unfortunately, Prosecutor did not heed early morning advice and arrived around 10 p.m., causing much worry. Rain showers came through most of the evening, but many were anxious to stretch their legs ashore and explore the many eateries lining the harbor.

Lesson #1

When you are in a group adventure, follow the leaders’ advice and power when necessary to keep up with the schedule. Also, take action early to make it comfortable for all aboard. As an example, during the last two hours of one of two long days during this leg, we furled our jib in to storm-jib size for a more comfortable sail in the wind and waves.

Colorful shops and boats line the shore at Mustique

Day 3 - Mustique and the reputed "best bar in the Caribbean"

On our third day under sail we were off to Mustique, where many a celebrity have owned homes (including Queen Elizabeth's late sister Princess Margaret). The wind was dead on the nose so we motorsailed the two hours it takes to get there.

All four other boats left way ahead of us and some had already enjoyed lunch at Basil’s Bar and Grill - "the best bar in the Caribbean" according to our cruising guidebook. Frank (an expert photographer) immediately headed to shore for photo ops - including a portrait with Basil himself.

We dined in the open air aboard, enjoying sautéed fish and ratatouille. In Bequia before departing I visited the local market and despite the very aggressive vendors from St. Vincents, managed to procure some great veggies and fruits. Nancy arrived onboard with a new pareo and we were all happy to get away from this bustling harbor as three of our boats had been robbed while we were enjoying new treats ashore.

Some of our group bought carved whale bone jewelry from this entrepreneur in Admiralty Bay

Lesson #2

We did not realize we should have secured the safety lock from below on our main hatches, though we were battened down tight and locked up otherwise. Five 51 footers are conspicuous for their opulence and perceived wealthy charterers in the islands.All together the three boats lost about $1000 cash and put a damper on going ashore in some ports later on. Who did it? Who knows.

Every harbor we went into boat boys came buy selling ice ($20-$30 EC a bag) and where there were moorings we were charged $20-$30 EC per mooring.

Fabulous shows us the mahi-mahi he and a friend caught earlier - our dinner that night

Day 4 - the best snorkeling in Tobago Cays

On day 4 we headed to Tobago Cays, leaving Mustique at 9:30 a.m. This is one of the highlights of the area for snorkeling and fantastic open water vistas. We started out on a port tack reach, with a few showers passing through but the sun came out shortly after. With only 20 miles to go and all four others in our having left before us, but we were all in by lunch time.

Before we could get the anchor down, the "General" was at our side selling t-shirts and ice. "Fabulous" appeared with a big dorado (mahi mahi) he said he and his partner caught last night. It did look fresh and later that day we bought six fresh-cut mahi steaks while his mangy dog munched on hunks of roti chicken in a make-shift doghouse in the skiff's bow.

Cruise Leader, Andy Cross, drops by in Tobago Cays to invite us to a group party aboard Chances

While Sue made lunch, the rest of our crew went swimming. After naps, Steve took Sue and Nancy to the reefs closer to the rest of our boats, all anchored around the corner with at least 30 more yachts. Geoffrey and I stayed aboard, reading and enjoying the peace of a quiet anchorage. There is no end to the vendors plying these waters - selling ice, t-shirts, pareos, BBQs ashore.

At 6:30 Andy and Jill hosted a group cocktail party aboard Changes with a lot of good fun and stories about the long exciting sail yesterday.

Around 9 p.m. vivo Libre hailed Jane on Prosecutor" to say the Southern Cross was visible. Our group monitored Channel 6 throughout the cruise to keep in touch. No doubt everyone in earshot (including our crew) looked to the south as it emerged over the hills to my delight. Throughout the cruise we discovered many constellations in the inky blue sky unscathed by big city loam.

Day 5 - Clifton Harbor and Chatham Bay for a beach BBQ

View of Clifton Harbor and reefs beyond from the Clinic at the top of the tallest hill

Day 6 we were off to Clifton Harbor on Union Island to clear out of St. Vincents and take me up to the hospital to redress a nasty toe wound suffered in Bequia getting into the dinghy. Steve and our other “skippers” sat through the incessant rubber stamping at the airport just a short walk in the hot sun from the yacht club where we landed our dinghies.

Nancy went to the market to shop for fresh fruit, good cheeses and breads. My chauffeur was a Union Island native driving a big van called Messenger. When he asked if I’d been here before, I told him we had visited several times, and he replied “then you know paradise” as we drove through slums with men hanging around doing nothing, kids playing and mangy dogs fighting in the dirt.

After a quick lunch aboard of fresh bread, salad and goat cheese brought from the market we left for Chatham Bay where we anchored around 2:30 p.m. in anticipation of a beach BBQ provide by a guy who called himself “Shark Attack.” Two boats already in the harbor – French and German flags – were long distance cruisers it seemed, with a couple on each, sunning and swimming in the nude. Nancy swam over to Vivo Libre, Steve to Tatonka. Andy and Jill swung by looking for Steve. A small turtle swam lazily around the boats, poking its little head up from time to time.

Nancy enjoys her time on the helm as we head to Carriacou

At 6:30, with forks and knives in hand, we went to the beach for the barbeque. It was somewhat surreal as we sat around large wood tables on benches, with a bonfire going nearby and food emerging in large bowls as quickly as they could get it off the grill. Fish, chicken, cold slaw, rice, roasted potatoes all for $60 E.C. per person. But some Canadians and another couple invited themselves to join us and for a while there wasn’t enough food to go around. Who knows if they ever paid?

An off-key, rough looking band showed up and Sue picked up the marimbas to join in. The stars were amazing and with Chick (Vivo Libre) tutoring, I learned about too many of the constellations to remember, except possibly the Crow, which I’d never seen before.

Day 6 - Tyrell Bay on Carriacou

Around 9:30 a.m. on Day 7 we set off for Hillsborough on Carriacou to clear into the Grenadines. It was a delightful two-hour broad reach. Yet another stamping, writing, multiple step and very hot process said Steve and the other skippers. There wasn’t much ashore here except abandoned buildings and a fairly active ferry dock. A fishing skiff loaded with nets lay just off our stern, home to about 50 brown boobies and laughing gulls.

Vivo Libre flying its crew's Marine Core, Georgia Tech and fraternity flags

We headed out as soon as we could and motored around to Tyrell Bay, supposedly a great place to overnight. It was loaded with barges and hundreds of long distance cruisers. I guess the latter were making use of the haul out facilities tucked deep in the harbor. Nancy went off with others to scope out the town. Sue and Frank hailed a water taxi and headed to shore too.

Deciding against walking beastly hot streets, Geoffrey, Steve and I stayed aboard. We were on moorings and if we ate at Twilight ashore, the mooring fee would be free. We made reservations and bought ice from a local who asked for a beer along with his fee.

Lounging below out of the sun, later that afternoon we all sat around listening to sea stories. Dark and Stormies, rum and coke, a little wine, snacks – ah life is good on a cruising boat. Later that evening we dinghied ashore for dinner at Twilight where we watched impressive SUV's speed by from our private open-air dining "room" hanging out over the beach.

Our fleet on moorings - settled in for the night

Back aboard the stars shone bright and a cool breeze swept our decks. We contemplated how different each anchorage was. In this one town fathers decided to remove all the beach plants so buildings ashore would have a view of the sea, and then they experienced a rare but devastating hurricane. Oh what we humans doth wrought in our great wisdom.

Day 7 - our last sailing in open waters enroute to Grand Mal, Grenada

This was our last day of sailing on open waters. We all were off our moorings at 8 a.m. – on a broad reach in lumpy seas, moving nicely at about 7 knots on our way to a bay near Port Louis, on Grenada. Our course was 245 degrees to avoid a submerged volcano to port near Rhondo Island (which we heard later was not active and no problem to pass close by).

Sailing along the coast in a nice breeze

A couple hours later we hardened up to course for a fun sail, from close reach to closehauled, arriving at Grand Mal around 1 p.m. We anchored at the southern end with everyone in ahead of us except Tatonka.” At the northern end were oil and LPG tankers, but far enough away to feel comfortable with little noise.

After downing the remains of lunch we made earlier that day, we settled in with our books again while Andy and his crew headed for the rain forest and water falls.

Steve and Geoffrey checked out the Sunset View ashore and made reservations for the entire group. Dinner was great – a grand buffet with lots of native fare but a promised band didn’t get started until we were all back aboard.

A typical sunset from our boat taken in Grand Mal

The best thing about this harbor – the incredible sunsets! In fact, wherever we dropped the hook or picked up a mooring we we marvelled at the incredible hues of the setting sun. Over 40 minutes or so, we would watch as the sky turned from blue, to pink, then orange and often a bright red. Sometimes we'd see boats sailing through the sun as it slid under the horizon. Cameras clicked as our decks were swathed with orange and pink glows.

Day 8 - end of the first leg of our Windward Islands adventure

The next morning we put everything in the center settee that Steve and I wanted to keep for the next group coming aboard; then packed up our bags, cleaned the boat and motored around the corner to Port Louis. A container ship chased us in, sounding its horn to say I’m coming through no matter what! But happily it docked on the outer jetty and we were signaled into the Nicholson & Campers beautiful new marina.

Jill and Andy Cross (cruise leaders at left) with crewmates Connie, Magda and John

By 10 a.m. most of us were off and in taxis heading to the Grenada Grand Hotel – a truly beautiful setting on Grand Anse beach. Lovely grounds, flowers, trees, many swimming pools (some with impressive fountains and waterfalls rolling over stone walls) and a fleet of Mosquitoes (small sailing dinghies) sailing off the beach.

With less than 24 hours to turn our five 51.5s around for the next group and leg, Steve and I hung around to make sure all the check lists were being attended to. Our only security deposit issue was the port aft head on our boat, which unfortunately was so clogged they had to remove it and take it way offshore to try to empty it out.

Maxwell was in charge, moving provisions off a catamaran that came from The Moorings base in Cannouan, overseeing cleaning, running around town to find fresh meats and veggies and fruits. They did an incredible job with minimum time.

Most of our sailing companions at start of Leg 1 cruise

We joined the rest of the group by one of the pool bars for lunch and that night enjoyed a lovely dinner on the terrace for all – with a glowing sunset and a cake Andy and Steve ordered during the cruise to celebrate the Moore’s 38th wedding anniversary.

Suntanned, satiated and tired – all went to bed except a few of us waiting up for the next group to arrive, but their flight was delayed so we sleepily headed to our rooms and dreams filled with soothing spray and glorious vistas as far as the eye can see.

LEG TWO - GRENADA TO ST. LUCIA

On our first day together, our new group gathered for breakfast on the Grand Grenada Hotel gazebo where we introduced ourselves to each other and Louise held a briefing on the details of our trip. Steve and I were continuing onboard Mythos with John (our new navigator) from Leg 1's Prosecutor, plus Fred and Anna Marie.

Anna Marie on our first day out - Leg 2

Onboard Tatonka were Jeff (skipper) and Dale navigator), Al and Pauli – all doing both legs. Remaining on Vivo Libre was Owen (skipper) with a new group of buddies - John (navigator), Arch, Julian and Tandy. On Prosecutor were Peter (skipper) with his daughter Alison and her friend Michelle, and Don (navigator).

Rounding out our fleet of five 51.5s was Changes with cruise leaders – Louise Reardon (skipper) and Patrick Reardon (navigator), Ed and Barbara, Paula and Ivonne (who traveled all the way from Germany). Louise and Patrick hail from the British Virgin Islands, where Louise has been an Offshore Sailing School instructor at all levels including Coastal Passage Making for the past four years.

At 10:30 a.m. we started moving crews to the boats by taxi – first all the skippers and navigators, 10 of them and their luggage in an eight-seater van. By noon we were all aboard our boats, stowing gear in our cabins and familiarizing ourselves with the boat and all the provisions aboard.

Cruise leader, Louise Reardon, with Ivonne and Ed on Tatonka

Louise, Steve and the rest of the skippers and navigators were still in navigation discussions with Maxwell after we arrived. His advice turned out to be invaluable. Then each boat went through familiarization check. With one last and major detail to attend to – filling water tanks from a low-pressure hose - our fleet departure was delayed until 4 p.m. To kill time I made a yummy fruit salad from ripe pawpaws (papaya) and other native fruits.

First night aboard - overnight in Grand Mal

Finally underway with our overnight destination around the corner in Grand Mal, some of our fleet went out into open water to practice sailing these fine 51 footers. By 5 p.m. we were all at anchor, swimming off our stern platforms. It was Mother’s Day and Sunset View restaurant was crowded with island families, but our tables and a lavish buffet were waiting.

Sunset in Grand Mal

Another gorgeous evening, with the first unbelievable sunset for our new group, but marred by two break-ins on our boats while we happily dined ashore. In one case the boat was left locked but dark (no deck or anchor lights) and they took nothing but left their tools after hacking open the louvered companionway doors. In the other case which we found about the next morning, a cell phone had disappeared and the doors again had been hacked through.

Lesson #3

Never leave the boat totally dark when no one is aboard, and you might want to keep the deck light on overnight anyway. The incidents were reported and arrangements were made to stop in Cannouan for repairs. Sunset View is now on The Moorings black list were were told when we returned the boats in St. Lucia.

Underway on Day 2 of cruise

Second day of Leg 2 - on the nose to Sandy Island

On our second day of Leg 2 we awoke to a slight drizzle and left at 9 a.m. for the long windward sail to Sandy Island, our boat arriving around 4:30 p.m. From a distance this doesn't look like a protected anchorage, but it was calm and a lovely spot to overnight.

First in, we had motorsailed when necessary as we knew it would be closehauled in lumpy seas on starboard tack. Before we left I made turkey sandwiches and had them ready for hungry wet souls as we sailed.

Prosecutor was the first to leave that morning but came back in quickly to dive on its rudder because of “strange vibrations.” Sure enough, a big bunch of cotton line, probably from a fish trap, was retrieved and all was well as they got underway again.

Sandy Island

As we passed Grenada’s northernmost tip brown boobies hovered around us again, waiting for flying fish to charge out of our wake. At anchor off

Sandy Island, as a number of boats joined our group on the anchorage, Anna Marie created a superb Italian meal and we sat around in the cockpit getting to know each other better until a few sprinkles sent us below.

Day 3 of Leg 2 - Petit St. Vincent and party time

On our third day we awoke to just our five boats and a charter cat in the anchorage, and after a leisurely breakfast aboard our boats, motored across to Hillsborough to clear out of the Grenadines. Then we set sail to Clifton Harbor with a few light showers cooling our decks, still reefed from our long sail in big seas the day before.

Tatonka crew arrive with hors d'oeuvres for party aboard Mythos

We arrived around 12:30 and joined others at the “yacht club” for mini chicken rotis and ice cream. As on our first leg, the skippers walked the short distance to the airport nearby to check into St. Vincents. Some of the crew went to the open market down the road and returned with veggies, fruit and fresh bread.

We picked up a block of ice in anticipation of a crew party on our boat that night, then sailed across to Petit St. Vincent ahead of everyone else and swam and bathed in the swift current. Petit St. Vincent is a private island resort. Guests off boats are discouraged unless arrangements are made in advance. It is a beautiful anchorage with good clean water for swimming.

At 6 p.m. sharp our entire group arrived with a variety of drinks and hors d’oeuvres (some almost too beauitful to eat). It was great fun to catch up. After the party we enjoyed a steak dinner aboard while two boats hired water taxis to take them over to Petit Martinque for dinner, which they reported back was a lot of fun.Last night Maxwell sailed by enroute to pick up charters in Canouan and Louise went out to meet him to retrieve Paula’s luggage, which had been delayed on her way down.

Fred takes the helm on way to Tobago Cays

Day 4 of Leg 2 - off to Tobago Cays and my birthday party on Mayreau

On our fourth day we were off to Tobago Cays, highlight of the trip for snorkeling in the islands’ national park. We arrived around noon and spread out a lunch of salad, cold cuts and cheese.

Steve took Freddie and Anna Marie to swim with the turtles. This time we anchored with the masses off the snorkeling area, visited again by the park fee collectors and all the vendors with ice, t-shirts and fish to sell. It was a much rollier anchorage than the cut where we stayed on leg 2.

Enough snorkeling under our belts, we all set sail at 2:30, and headed for Saline Bay on Mayreau and my (Doris Colgate’s) birthday celebration, all arranged by Louise and Patrick at Steve’s bidding.

Anchored in Salt Whistle Bay

It was a cloudy day with squalls on the horizon as we sailed from PSV back towards Clifton and through the pass by Mayreau – a reach and then a beat. That night at Dennis’s Hideaway way up a steep road we had a fabulous buffet meal and even a birthday cake! Then as we walked down the long hill, the squalls arrived and soaked most of us. I felt no pain.

Day 5 of Leg 3 - back to Bequia

We had a very early start planned on day 5. Vivo Libre and Prosecutor went early to the Cannouan base with Changes for new companionway hatches, a fuel filter issue and water very early. Patrick sailed with Changes and reported The Moorings base crew had everything ready and quickly and efficiently changed out the companionway doors and cleaned Prosecutor’s” filter, which had been giving them trouble.

Anna Marie trims the jib on way to Bequia

We left at 8 a.m. with the other two boats and arrived first in Admiralty Bay on Bequia. The sail over was a tight reach on starboard tack in very lumpy seas. We put in a reef before we got underway, others sailed with full main during the four hour sail. As we passed Moon Bay we hardened up, rolled up our jib and motor-sailed the rest of the way in. Some went ashore for shopping and dinner on Bequia, others opted to stay onboard in this bustling harbor – partly to protect their boats, gunshy from earlier thefts.

Day 6 of Leg 2 - double-reefed with Pirates of the Caribbean ahead

On day six, while the skippers checked out of Bequia at the very official immigration and customs building in pouring rain, I stocked up on bananas and tomatoes at the market. Then we got underway with squalls on the horizon and winds building.

John enjoying our roughest day (truly)

Before leaving Louise suggested we all put in a mainsail reef during her morning rounds as there was a predicted Atlantic high with winds up to 20 knots with high seas and 30% chance of rain. Without an anemometer, we think we had gusts up to 45 knots and 10 foot seas until we got in the lee of St. Vincents. It was cloudy and rainy most of the day.

Louise had been thinking about our itinerary and the very long sail on our last day. On her advice we decided to stop in Wallalabou where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed and Patrick was an extra for 11 roles! This gave us a 39 nm last day rather than 51, which would have amounted to a whole lot more as we would be sailing on the nose).

We were double-reefed when in open water away from the lee of the islands. It was an exciting and invigorating sail, though at times as waves broke over the bow and driving rain soaked us through, some may have thought otherwise. But what’s a good cruise without a good windy day?

Pirates of the Caribbean set in Wallilabou

As predicted, there were many boat boys way out in open water as we approached the bay – gesturing "me, me" and rowing nearly as fast as we were motoring in make-shift boats – anxious to be first to tie us up.

As we carefully made our way into the Wallilabou anchorage, we were inundated with muscular guys selling Pirates of the Caribbean bead jewelry before we were settled in. Naturally, we bought our share.

Speedy, a wily older guy who says he has two girlfriends and seven kids, talked about being in the movie. “The bay was closed so the producers had to hire us as extras,” he explained.

They were all extremely helpful in tying us up to mooring balls, trees and pieces of the old dock in this very deep harbor. Many hands made quick work. Patrick, who resembles a pirate from the movie, showed Louise around the set which is a totally amazing façade. The restaurant next door where some of us ate dinner, has a lot of photos of the crew, stars and extras, and a lifelike statue of Johnny Depp climbing the mast.

Smiley selling Pirates of the Caribbean beads

When we first got in there was a big catamaran between us and the rest of our fleet and a Moorings 443. As we rested, read, explored ashore more and more boats came in – causing some adjusting of lines later on.

Day 7 - a terrific long sail back towards Marigot Bay

On our next to last day aboard, with a long sail ahead, we were up at 5:30 and ready to slip lines along with the rest of our fleet an hour later. It was quiet along the coast, but there were signs of squalls ahead and a magnificent double-ended rainbow too big to get in one photo. A few squalls were visible coming off the volcano at the north end of St. Vincents. Seas remained choppy, challenging the less experienced helmspersons to stay on course without over compensating as waves hit.

Rainbows dotted the horizon on way to the Pitons

With 39 miles today, we reached and beat through seas, motorsailing when the boat felt sluggish. The waves were big but nothing like the day before. Steve and I took the opportunity to make sandwiches when in calmer waters motorsailing along the coast.

At 2:30 we were near Between the Pitons anchorage, with Shawn guiding us in his longboat to a mooring very close to a beautiful Creelock 48 trawler from San Francisco called Jade. When the two boats “kissed” just before sundown, we moved our boat to the north end of the harbor onto a much bigger mooring. He who arrives last moves first.

Some went ashore to the exclusive Jalousie Plantation Resort and stayed for dinner. We enjoyed a nice chicken dinner aboard after swimming, reading, culling through too many digital photos and just enjoying the peace and quiet after an exciting day at sea.

Steve Colgate steering on our heaviest sea day

Our last full day in the Windward Islands

On our last day of sailing we had just 10 miles back to Marigot Bay. We were not in a rush. We made banana French toast for breakfast, Steve made the rounds with Louise to discuss our arrival back at base. Prosecutor had trouble starting their engine, which Louise quickly remedied. The day before they struggled with their jib when a line frayed and kept them from rolling it up.

We left around 9:30 and motorsailed the 10 miles to Marigot Bay, 4th in line behind some of our fleet as we approached. The Moorings team was there to hop aboard and squeeze us in stern-to the dock. Most of us had a nice lunch at The Baguet ashore. On Mythos we set about fixing hors d’oeuvres for the final dregs party aboard our boat before dinner that evening.

Our Leg 2 group before we set sail

All together, we enjoyed a tasty dinner at Chateau Mygo next door in the open air. Everyone seemed to be in great spirits, not caring about very early airport taxis the next morning for some. Lots of toasts, lots of memories, and discussion of where the next Offshore Sailing Club cruise should be. Well, now you know!