"Today I found it. Excellent to near perfect. Much like Long Bay Caicos;
narrow beach with lots of dried sargasso backed by bushes. Sandy beach,
onshore quartering wind, chop a little more than The Basin at high tide,
plus some swell. Park the car in the bushes at the edge 50 feet from
the water. It is a bay, Yesterday I was on the other side of the bay and
could see this beach on the other side. The "good" kiters are over
there. The wind was 18-20 steady. Again it was at the limit of my
capabilities. I am not used to dealing with the waves Not making my
turns so good. But tomorrow I will! I met Ted, an American living in
France, here for two weeks. His daughter, probably 18, did it for the
first time today. Also a windsurfing location, and they were having fun
too. I saw only one carving jibe. Most of the people made the turn but
came off the plane.
It felt good. I feel good.
Love,
Bill"
Monday, December 28, 2015
inReach message from William Doar
Kiteboard location
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Friday, December 25, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
A few years ago Normandie and I were leaving to go sailing and Will gave us a collection of about ten discs with music, all types of music. Will, that stack of DVDs is still on the boat, and occasionally I still go to it for some music. Two of those discs are Christmas music. Thank you Will.
A few days ago I was anchored at the island of Nevis, and surprizingly got a really strong wifi signal. I googled kiteboarding St Kitts, I got nothing on St Kitts, but what I got was kiteboarding Saint Martin, and some good pictures of flat water, good wind, even sailboats in the background. So Saint Martin became my destination. Just about this time the wind startred blowing Beaufort force 6, 22-27 knots. Downwind sailing in that is not a problem; Sterling and I had quite a bit of that, especially from Canaries to Cape Verde, but from Statia (ST Eustatius) (I have never heard of Saint Eustatius) up to Saint Martin it was a close reach of 30 nm. Wind blowing 25 knots and had been for three days, very bouncy and very wet. Continuous spray over the bow, spray over the cockpit every three minutes, solid water over the cabin and into the cockpit every half hour. We arrived at Simpson Bay, Dutch Sint Maarten, Wet and salty. It was good to get there but the anchorage was blasted by willie-waws form the wind coming around the mountain. And, something I read said that the French were doing all the good kiteboarding, so the next day I moved around to the French side, Marigot Bay. And that was hard. Some of it motoring sdirectly into strong wind and ocean waves. Marigot Bay is on the west side of Saint Martin, and I thought that it would be a good peaceful anchorage. The wind continues to blast, of course, but the waves are odd. Here I am not having the rolly waves that make life aboard so difficult. The waves are like a hundred motorboat waves all around all the time. The water is so dense with waves Advent hardly rocks at all. But it is very difficult, to the point of being almost not doable, to get in or out of the dinghy. And, the wind continues to blow, really hard. While I was writing this I heard a crash up front, and the wind had lifted the open front hatch, the prop had fallen, then the hatch slammed shut.
I am going to a mooring ball at one of the marinas. While in the marina office I got a rental car, and spent most of the day on a double quest, to go look at Orient Bay, where the kiteboarding is, and find a church. I did find Orient Bay, and i found about six kiters, and I also found one of the kiteboarding schools. I was going to take a lesson to learn the particulars about this location, but he said he was booked up solid for weeks, and that the wind had forced cancellations so he was trying to fit present students in whenever he could. That is not a problem, but the beach is only about 50 feet wide, and literally beach lounge chairs are side-by-side, four rows deep. There is a gap in the chairs and umbrellas wide enough to launch a kite, but the instructor said that you had to go out 200 feet, not kite within 200 feet of the beach. Students are taken by boat out to a shallow bar about 1/2 mile out. And people everywhere. The instructor, however, tried to talk me into joining them on there weekly trip to Anguilla, "where the water is flat and there are no tourists on the beach". I think that is where the pictures I saw were taken. So I don't know what I do with that information. I don't think kiting will be my pleasure while here.
The other goal, find a church. I did not appreciate the congestion on the roadways. Today I drove the circle of the island, maybe 20 miles around. I think I spent two hours either sitting still in traffic or moving at a walking pace. I found two churches with schedules posted, none local, I would have to drive to another part of the island. Also it would be dark when the service ended, and I did not like the thought of first getting back to the marina, and second safely getting out of the dinghy and back on the boat. Barbara, You gave us, for the boat, a beautiful miniature manger scene, with Mary, Joseph and the Baby, tiny works of art. I don't have that with me but I visualize it set up on the settee, as it was back then. But Will, I do have your music. Tonight I will read the Christmas story, and have the blessing of your gift of music.
Happy Birthday Jesus.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
A few years ago Normandie and I were leaving to go sailing and Will gave us a collection of about ten discs with music, all types of music. Will, that stack of DVDs is still on the boat, and occasionally I still go to it for some music. Two of those discs are Christmas music. Thank you Will.
A few days ago I was anchored at the island of Nevis, and surprizingly got a really strong wifi signal. I googled kiteboarding St Kitts, I got nothing on St Kitts, but what I got was kiteboarding Saint Martin, and some good pictures of flat water, good wind, even sailboats in the background. So Saint Martin became my destination. Just about this time the wind startred blowing Beaufort force 6, 22-27 knots. Downwind sailing in that is not a problem; Sterling and I had quite a bit of that, especially from Canaries to Cape Verde, but from Statia (ST Eustatius) (I have never heard of Saint Eustatius) up to Saint Martin it was a close reach of 30 nm. Wind blowing 25 knots and had been for three days, very bouncy and very wet. Continuous spray over the bow, spray over the cockpit every three minutes, solid water over the cabin and into the cockpit every half hour. We arrived at Simpson Bay, Dutch Sint Maarten, Wet and salty. It was good to get there but the anchorage was blasted by willie-waws form the wind coming around the mountain. And, something I read said that the French were doing all the good kiteboarding, so the next day I moved around to the French side, Marigot Bay. And that was hard. Some of it motoring sdirectly into strong wind and ocean waves. Marigot Bay is on the west side of Saint Martin, and I thought that it would be a good peaceful anchorage. The wind continues to blast, of course, but the waves are odd. Here I am not having the rolly waves that make life aboard so difficult. The waves are like a hundred motorboat waves all around all the time. The water is so dense with waves Advent hardly rocks at all. But it is very difficult, to the point of being almost not doable, to get in or out of the dinghy. And, the wind continues to blow, really hard. While I was writing this I heard a crash up front, and the wind had lifted the open front hatch, the prop had fallen, then the hatch slammed shut.
I am going to a mooring ball at one of the marinas. While in the marina office I got a rental car, and spent most of the day on a double quest, to go look at Orient Bay, where the kiteboarding is, and find a church. I did find Orient Bay, and i found about six kiters, and I also found one of the kiteboarding schools. I was going to take a lesson to learn the particulars about this location, but he said he was booked up solid for weeks, and that the wind had forced cancellations so he was trying to fit present students in whenever he could. That is not a problem, but the beach is only about 50 feet wide, and literally beach lounge chairs are side-by-side, four rows deep. There is a gap in the chairs and umbrellas wide enough to launch a kite, but the instructor said that you had to go out 200 feet, not kite within 200 feet of the beach. Students are taken by boat out to a shallow bar about 1/2 mile out. And people everywhere. The instructor, however, tried to talk me into joining them on there weekly trip to Anguilla, "where the water is flat and there are no tourists on the beach". I think that is where the pictures I saw were taken. So I don't know what I do with that information. I don't think kiting will be my pleasure while here.
The other goal, find a church. I did not appreciate the congestion on the roadways. Today I drove the circle of the island, maybe 20 miles around. I think I spent two hours either sitting still in traffic or moving at a walking pace. I found two churches with schedules posted, none local, I would have to drive to another part of the island. Also it would be dark when the service ended, and I did not like the thought of first getting back to the marina, and second safely getting out of the dinghy and back on the boat. Barbara, You gave us, for the boat, a beautiful miniature manger scene, with Mary, Joseph and the Baby, tiny works of art. I don't have that with me but I visualize it set up on the settee, as it was back then. But Will, I do have your music. Tonight I will read the Christmas story, and have the blessing of your gift of music.
Happy Birthday Jesus.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
inReach message from William Doar
I'm stopping here.
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Monday, December 21, 2015
Atlantic to Antigua pictures
 |
| Wing 'n Wing. Genoa poled to port, trisail to stbd. All the way across. |
Monday 21 December - It is Dark All the Time
Monday 21 December - Winter Solstice - Thank Heavens
After a wonderful day sailing mu pleasure is to go for a swim, a cockpit shower, and drinks on the foredeck. Yesterday was a good day sailing, good swim in the coolish water, wonderful shower, and drinks watching the sunset. I stayed on the foredeck enjoying where I was until black dark, 18:00, six o'clock. Go below, fix something to eat, listen to Christmas music. By that time it is about eight o'clock. Then go to bed. Awake about 03:30, stay in bed till 04:30 if I can manage to doze some. Get up and drink coffee till daylight, about 07:30. Three hours of drinking coffee, reading. It seems like it is dark all the time. But today is the shortest day of the year. Thank heavens the days will be getting longer, and I will not drink so much coffee.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
After a wonderful day sailing mu pleasure is to go for a swim, a cockpit shower, and drinks on the foredeck. Yesterday was a good day sailing, good swim in the coolish water, wonderful shower, and drinks watching the sunset. I stayed on the foredeck enjoying where I was until black dark, 18:00, six o'clock. Go below, fix something to eat, listen to Christmas music. By that time it is about eight o'clock. Then go to bed. Awake about 03:30, stay in bed till 04:30 if I can manage to doze some. Get up and drink coffee till daylight, about 07:30. Three hours of drinking coffee, reading. It seems like it is dark all the time. But today is the shortest day of the year. Thank heavens the days will be getting longer, and I will not drink so much coffee.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Sunday 20 December
Sunday 20 December - Relax
For the past months I have been on the tense edge of my capabilities: Weather windows that must be met, or else; Health and safety requirements that must be met, or else; seamanship and navigation requirements that must be met, or else; Government requirements that must be met, or else. As I said, the tense edge of my capabilities. I can get to St Kitts today, St Martin tomorrow. Then get up at midnight to sail to the eastern Virgins, wind will be 30-35 knots. It will be uncomfortable but I can make it. Then to eastern BVI, on to USVI, find a place on St Thomas to go ashore, find transportation. . . .
Sterling is legally ashore and I may legally depart. I sailed from Antigua about 06:30, just as it was getting light. The wind was about 15 knots, the seas easy and the sun was rising. It was perfect and I only had 50 miles to go to a safe, open, comfortable anchorage. I realized that this is what I have been looking for. The wind is reasonable, short distances between non-critical destinations, sandy beaches, waving palms, other cruising boats, warm water, calm anchorages, and Jesus would come whether or not I got to St Thomas on the 24th.
It was a beautiful day sailing, and instead of forcing my way on all the way to St Kitts I stopped at a beautiful location on Nevis, and made the change from dealing with "or else", to dealing with enjoying what is here, now.
The plan is to go to St Kitts today, build the dinghy, go ashore, check in, and try to find a kiteboarding shop.
Welcome to the Caribbean.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
For the past months I have been on the tense edge of my capabilities: Weather windows that must be met, or else; Health and safety requirements that must be met, or else; seamanship and navigation requirements that must be met, or else; Government requirements that must be met, or else. As I said, the tense edge of my capabilities. I can get to St Kitts today, St Martin tomorrow. Then get up at midnight to sail to the eastern Virgins, wind will be 30-35 knots. It will be uncomfortable but I can make it. Then to eastern BVI, on to USVI, find a place on St Thomas to go ashore, find transportation. . . .
Sterling is legally ashore and I may legally depart. I sailed from Antigua about 06:30, just as it was getting light. The wind was about 15 knots, the seas easy and the sun was rising. It was perfect and I only had 50 miles to go to a safe, open, comfortable anchorage. I realized that this is what I have been looking for. The wind is reasonable, short distances between non-critical destinations, sandy beaches, waving palms, other cruising boats, warm water, calm anchorages, and Jesus would come whether or not I got to St Thomas on the 24th.
It was a beautiful day sailing, and instead of forcing my way on all the way to St Kitts I stopped at a beautiful location on Nevis, and made the change from dealing with "or else", to dealing with enjoying what is here, now.
The plan is to go to St Kitts today, build the dinghy, go ashore, check in, and try to find a kiteboarding shop.
Welcome to the Caribbean.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Sunday, December 20, 2015
William Doar is sharing their location
I'm starting my trip, follow along at my MapShare!
William Doar is sharing their location at the MapShare web site: https://share.delorme.com/Advent2
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Monday, December 14, 2015
Monday 14 December - English Harbour
Monday 14 December - English Harbour
Several years ago Normandie and I made our first voyage of discovery. Our first stop was Bermuda, and at the church there we met a cruising couple, and after church we went to lunch together. We had no sailing destination, and really had no idea where the good places were. At lunch that other couple gave us advice as to where to go, and we left the restaurant with directions to English Harbour written on a paper napkin.
English Harbour, on Antigua, is a natural harbour with a twist, or rather the entrance channel turns back on itself, so that from the ocean any ships back in the harbour can not be seen. The British had a major navy base there; a place to refit and maintain the warships. It is called Nelson's Dockyard, and is a combination of national park and upscale destination. When Normandie were here back then it there were some yacht facilities, maybe a hotel, boat oriented shops, all utilizing the old original dockyard buildings. We could anchor Advent in close and there were convenient toilets, trash disposal, water, etc friendly to cruisers. Well, my how it has changed. It still has the romantic 18th century dockyard feel, and it is still friendly to cruisers, and it is still a great destination, one that I will recommend, but now you have to elbow the mega-yachts aside to get in. I could almost say that nothing has changed, all the buildings are the same, the streets are the same, etc. but now everything has a rustic gold plating about it. And I have never been anywhere with as many mega-yachts. Sailboats and motor yachts 100 - 200 feet long. This morning I awoke before daylight, was in the cockpit drinking coffee, and counted seven sailboats with aircraft obstruction lights on their masts, really tall masts.
Sterling is ashore trying to determine his future. I can not leave without him, unless he finds another boat to crew on or has an airplane ticket. A hindrance is that we have not figured out yet how to get access to the internet, and a lot of what he needs is on the internet. I think he walked over the ridge to the next harbour, Falmouth, where he heard there is an internet cafe. There are other boats in Falmouth Harbour, and he will ask around to try to find a berth on another boat. Another goal of his is to get his hair cut and styled, and not come away with dredlocks.
The good news is that I dived on the propeller, and found a big wad of sargasso weed all wrapped around the strut and shaft. I cleaned it off, ant took the boat for a brief ride around the anchorage, and I think it is usable. There is movement in the shaft/cutless bearing, so the bearing does need to be replaced. My plan is to use it like it is as I make my way to the Virgin Islands. When I get there I will have a better feeling about how it is doing, and either pull the boat there to replace the bearing, or proceed with it like it is, and replace it at the next haulout for bottom paint.
Last evening I went for a delicious swim, wonderful soapy cockpit shower, sat on the deck reading Patrick O'Brian (The Nutmeg of Consolation), waved at other cruisers passing in their dinghies, and had a sip of Nelson's Blood. This is wonderful. The only thing that could make it better is if Normandie were here. But she reminded me that the only thing that makes it possible for me to be here is for her to be there, and if she were here I would not be here I would be be there, and I would want her there, but I am not there, I am here . . .
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Several years ago Normandie and I made our first voyage of discovery. Our first stop was Bermuda, and at the church there we met a cruising couple, and after church we went to lunch together. We had no sailing destination, and really had no idea where the good places were. At lunch that other couple gave us advice as to where to go, and we left the restaurant with directions to English Harbour written on a paper napkin.
English Harbour, on Antigua, is a natural harbour with a twist, or rather the entrance channel turns back on itself, so that from the ocean any ships back in the harbour can not be seen. The British had a major navy base there; a place to refit and maintain the warships. It is called Nelson's Dockyard, and is a combination of national park and upscale destination. When Normandie were here back then it there were some yacht facilities, maybe a hotel, boat oriented shops, all utilizing the old original dockyard buildings. We could anchor Advent in close and there were convenient toilets, trash disposal, water, etc friendly to cruisers. Well, my how it has changed. It still has the romantic 18th century dockyard feel, and it is still friendly to cruisers, and it is still a great destination, one that I will recommend, but now you have to elbow the mega-yachts aside to get in. I could almost say that nothing has changed, all the buildings are the same, the streets are the same, etc. but now everything has a rustic gold plating about it. And I have never been anywhere with as many mega-yachts. Sailboats and motor yachts 100 - 200 feet long. This morning I awoke before daylight, was in the cockpit drinking coffee, and counted seven sailboats with aircraft obstruction lights on their masts, really tall masts.
Sterling is ashore trying to determine his future. I can not leave without him, unless he finds another boat to crew on or has an airplane ticket. A hindrance is that we have not figured out yet how to get access to the internet, and a lot of what he needs is on the internet. I think he walked over the ridge to the next harbour, Falmouth, where he heard there is an internet cafe. There are other boats in Falmouth Harbour, and he will ask around to try to find a berth on another boat. Another goal of his is to get his hair cut and styled, and not come away with dredlocks.
The good news is that I dived on the propeller, and found a big wad of sargasso weed all wrapped around the strut and shaft. I cleaned it off, ant took the boat for a brief ride around the anchorage, and I think it is usable. There is movement in the shaft/cutless bearing, so the bearing does need to be replaced. My plan is to use it like it is as I make my way to the Virgin Islands. When I get there I will have a better feeling about how it is doing, and either pull the boat there to replace the bearing, or proceed with it like it is, and replace it at the next haulout for bottom paint.
Last evening I went for a delicious swim, wonderful soapy cockpit shower, sat on the deck reading Patrick O'Brian (The Nutmeg of Consolation), waved at other cruisers passing in their dinghies, and had a sip of Nelson's Blood. This is wonderful. The only thing that could make it better is if Normandie were here. But she reminded me that the only thing that makes it possible for me to be here is for her to be there, and if she were here I would not be here I would be be there, and I would want her there, but I am not there, I am here . . .
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Sunday 13 December
Sunday 13 December
Anchor down. English Harbour, Antigua
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Anchor down. English Harbour, Antigua
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
inReach message from William Doar
Anchor down English Harbour ,Antigua
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Saturday, December 12, 2015
Saturday 12 December - Final full day
Saturday 12 December - Random Thoughts
First thoughts: 1. Give thanks to God for giving me this opportunity, and for seeing us through without any injury, or worse. 2. Concern about the drive line: transmission, shaft, cutless bearing, and propeller.
This is the last day; landfall Antigua at daybreak tomorrow, Sunday. We have about 100 miles to go, and it is 22 hours until morning twilight, so if we sail faster than 4.5 kts we will have to stop and wait for light before entering. The wind is light so going slow will not be a problem.
It is nice having a restful arrival. We are just sitting back, thinking about the passage and the trip down from Tenerife, and enjoying the last of this part of our adventures. In April Normandie and I made two landfalls, both very difficult. Our trip to Bermuda was during a rare (For April) five day "weather window" (no storms). So it was a race to make it there , and we did just after the "adverse weather" caught up with us. We also had a failing diesel lift pump and an intermittent cooling water pump. Upon arrival we collapsed in exhaustion, onlu to depart Bermuda a few hours later because a massive storm system (hurricane force winds)was forecasted to arrive in four days, trapping us in Bermuda well into the next week, preventing Normandie from getting back to work in time. So we immediately sailed south. The farther south we could go the less severe the storm. (And this was a storm, not a gale) So we sailed south, down off Florida. The storm caught up with us, then we headed home, bucking cold fronts every other day. Between the cold fronts we had north-west wind. That is the direction we wanted to go to get back to the US, north-west. It was a fight every mile of the way, and very rough. We could not make Cape Fear, but even with one sail split asunder and a seam opening on another we did make Beaufort, much to our relief. It was a tough trip. Unlike this one. The only sail handling we have done is to cross the boom from a broad reach to wing 'n wing, and let the genoa in or out to adjust for wind speed. This is a most pleasant landfall.
I left North Carolina in June and had a most pleasant trip up to Norfolk. A trip I always want to share. A varied and interesting three day run. I always like that part of North Carolina. Then John and I sailed up to New Bedford. That "landfall" was more difficult for me than any of the others because I didn't know where I was going or what I would find when I got there. I did not know that I could find a safe place to anchor. We ended up sailing into Block Island and anchored with a few hundred of my best friends for 4th July. I don't have to tell generations of sailors that New England is a Mecca for maritime lovers.
Adnaan and I crossed the Atlantic. Expecting icebergs we were instead challenged by a stationary front stretching from Cape Hatteras all the way across to the British Isles, with low pressure systems running up the front every two days. That gave us north-east wind north of the front. From New England we had to cross to the south side of the front to get favourable wind. So we went south. And we went south. And we went south. All the way down to the Latitude of Norfolk, VA. All the way down into hurricane territory, and it was August. But we did finally cross the front, and had good sailing to the Azores.
Faial, Azores - With the wall on which we painted out "Advent II" sign, and a week long street festival. And I liked the boats there. They were all traveling boats, not seasonal boats for locals and European vacationers as in the other marinas. Did I say marinas? No anchorages. The Azores, Maderia, Canaries, no anchorages. You must stay in a marina, behind a 12 foot high seawall. (And all the marinas required insurance documents be presented.) But on the plus side they were safe, had water at the boat, showers, and did not cost but $20.00/day.
Tenerife, was my home for several months, with all its ups and downs, emotional, geologic and kiteboarding. Where Sterling joined me.
It is obvious from the shirt collars. Back in the Canaries and Cape Verde my shirt collar got grimy in one day, but when we left the desert dirt and volcanic ash the shirts stay much cleaner. Back there the air was dirty. Every day I could wash the dirt off the boat deck. And wow didn't the wind blow. Normal wind in August/September was 30 knots. It just howled. When Sterling and I sailed down to Cape Verde from Canaries we had 30 k nots+ all the way, sailing with just a partial genoa. Our time in Cape Verde was defined by the strong wind. Wind that bade it difficult to use the dinghy. I have pictures of people at the grill on the pontoon hanging onto their beers, the chop making the beers slide back and forth across the bar. We left Cape Verde heading west in 30 knots. Before the night was out the wind was down to 15 knots, and has been 10-15 knots since. Eighteen days. We put the genoa with pole to port, trisail on the boom to stbd, and have not changed either. We never raised the main. It has been an exceptional passage.
By far the most uncomfortable and injurious thing about offshore sailing is the motion of the boat. It is constantly in radical motion, mostly side to side. Not really rocking. Rocking implies a gentle motion. With this motion the boat rolls to one side, and instead of gently ending the roll and starting down in the opposite direction, it is jerked back in the opposite direction. Everything slides across a table and food jumps off the plate. Then three seconds later everything is jerked in the opposite direction. Lying in the bunk you are snapped back and forth. You can not lay anything down. The act of brushing your teeth meand that you have to hold the tooth brush in one hand, the tooth paste in the other hand, and hold on to the boat with a third hand, or find a place to put the toothpaste down wher it will not jump onto the floor, while holding on. We haven't even gotten to how to manage the water. I am comvinced that most injuries are a result of the radical, dramatic, sudden and continual movement. You really get tired of it. And typing, with the keyboard sliding around, is really hard. What I do is type a few characters, they my hands fly up to grab supports on both sides of the table, hang on the two or three seconds, then both hands back to the keyboard for a few more strokes. Meanwhile my core muscles are working overtime keeping the body in the seat.
I have been surprized that we have seen very few birds, very few dolphins, no fish. A great deal of sargasso, but almost no wildlife. And very few other boats. I think four ships and five other yachts, all but one had AIS, so we knew the name of the vessel and its course relative to us. All the sailboats have been in the 45-60 foot range, and traveling one or two knots faster than us.
This adventure (An adventure is something that, when you start it you do not know how it will end.) This adventure has several phases: 1. North Carolina to New England. 2. New England to Azores/Madeira/Canaries. 3. In the Canaries. 4. Canaries back across the Atlantic. 5. the 2000 miles back up to North Carolina. Phase 4 has almost been completed. I will still have 2000 miles to go, but as Normandie says, I will be in my home waters. Most of the way will be day sailing between islands. I hope to share this part of the journey with others, and stop and see friends and relatives along the way. And there will be afternoon swims, waving palms, and sunsets from the foredeck. But first I need to fix whatever is wrong with the driveline. That will be tomorrow.
This has been an exceptional crossing. Few have had it so easy. But now, with gentile winds on the last day, and a peaceful night, tomorrow it will end. Give thanks that we have made it and no one has gotten hurt.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
Advent II
Antigua 63 miles
And as Normandie says,"It is not the size of the boat, it's the motion of the ocean."
First thoughts: 1. Give thanks to God for giving me this opportunity, and for seeing us through without any injury, or worse. 2. Concern about the drive line: transmission, shaft, cutless bearing, and propeller.
This is the last day; landfall Antigua at daybreak tomorrow, Sunday. We have about 100 miles to go, and it is 22 hours until morning twilight, so if we sail faster than 4.5 kts we will have to stop and wait for light before entering. The wind is light so going slow will not be a problem.
It is nice having a restful arrival. We are just sitting back, thinking about the passage and the trip down from Tenerife, and enjoying the last of this part of our adventures. In April Normandie and I made two landfalls, both very difficult. Our trip to Bermuda was during a rare (For April) five day "weather window" (no storms). So it was a race to make it there , and we did just after the "adverse weather" caught up with us. We also had a failing diesel lift pump and an intermittent cooling water pump. Upon arrival we collapsed in exhaustion, onlu to depart Bermuda a few hours later because a massive storm system (hurricane force winds)was forecasted to arrive in four days, trapping us in Bermuda well into the next week, preventing Normandie from getting back to work in time. So we immediately sailed south. The farther south we could go the less severe the storm. (And this was a storm, not a gale) So we sailed south, down off Florida. The storm caught up with us, then we headed home, bucking cold fronts every other day. Between the cold fronts we had north-west wind. That is the direction we wanted to go to get back to the US, north-west. It was a fight every mile of the way, and very rough. We could not make Cape Fear, but even with one sail split asunder and a seam opening on another we did make Beaufort, much to our relief. It was a tough trip. Unlike this one. The only sail handling we have done is to cross the boom from a broad reach to wing 'n wing, and let the genoa in or out to adjust for wind speed. This is a most pleasant landfall.
I left North Carolina in June and had a most pleasant trip up to Norfolk. A trip I always want to share. A varied and interesting three day run. I always like that part of North Carolina. Then John and I sailed up to New Bedford. That "landfall" was more difficult for me than any of the others because I didn't know where I was going or what I would find when I got there. I did not know that I could find a safe place to anchor. We ended up sailing into Block Island and anchored with a few hundred of my best friends for 4th July. I don't have to tell generations of sailors that New England is a Mecca for maritime lovers.
Adnaan and I crossed the Atlantic. Expecting icebergs we were instead challenged by a stationary front stretching from Cape Hatteras all the way across to the British Isles, with low pressure systems running up the front every two days. That gave us north-east wind north of the front. From New England we had to cross to the south side of the front to get favourable wind. So we went south. And we went south. And we went south. All the way down to the Latitude of Norfolk, VA. All the way down into hurricane territory, and it was August. But we did finally cross the front, and had good sailing to the Azores.
Faial, Azores - With the wall on which we painted out "Advent II" sign, and a week long street festival. And I liked the boats there. They were all traveling boats, not seasonal boats for locals and European vacationers as in the other marinas. Did I say marinas? No anchorages. The Azores, Maderia, Canaries, no anchorages. You must stay in a marina, behind a 12 foot high seawall. (And all the marinas required insurance documents be presented.) But on the plus side they were safe, had water at the boat, showers, and did not cost but $20.00/day.
Tenerife, was my home for several months, with all its ups and downs, emotional, geologic and kiteboarding. Where Sterling joined me.
It is obvious from the shirt collars. Back in the Canaries and Cape Verde my shirt collar got grimy in one day, but when we left the desert dirt and volcanic ash the shirts stay much cleaner. Back there the air was dirty. Every day I could wash the dirt off the boat deck. And wow didn't the wind blow. Normal wind in August/September was 30 knots. It just howled. When Sterling and I sailed down to Cape Verde from Canaries we had 30 k nots+ all the way, sailing with just a partial genoa. Our time in Cape Verde was defined by the strong wind. Wind that bade it difficult to use the dinghy. I have pictures of people at the grill on the pontoon hanging onto their beers, the chop making the beers slide back and forth across the bar. We left Cape Verde heading west in 30 knots. Before the night was out the wind was down to 15 knots, and has been 10-15 knots since. Eighteen days. We put the genoa with pole to port, trisail on the boom to stbd, and have not changed either. We never raised the main. It has been an exceptional passage.
By far the most uncomfortable and injurious thing about offshore sailing is the motion of the boat. It is constantly in radical motion, mostly side to side. Not really rocking. Rocking implies a gentle motion. With this motion the boat rolls to one side, and instead of gently ending the roll and starting down in the opposite direction, it is jerked back in the opposite direction. Everything slides across a table and food jumps off the plate. Then three seconds later everything is jerked in the opposite direction. Lying in the bunk you are snapped back and forth. You can not lay anything down. The act of brushing your teeth meand that you have to hold the tooth brush in one hand, the tooth paste in the other hand, and hold on to the boat with a third hand, or find a place to put the toothpaste down wher it will not jump onto the floor, while holding on. We haven't even gotten to how to manage the water. I am comvinced that most injuries are a result of the radical, dramatic, sudden and continual movement. You really get tired of it. And typing, with the keyboard sliding around, is really hard. What I do is type a few characters, they my hands fly up to grab supports on both sides of the table, hang on the two or three seconds, then both hands back to the keyboard for a few more strokes. Meanwhile my core muscles are working overtime keeping the body in the seat.
I have been surprized that we have seen very few birds, very few dolphins, no fish. A great deal of sargasso, but almost no wildlife. And very few other boats. I think four ships and five other yachts, all but one had AIS, so we knew the name of the vessel and its course relative to us. All the sailboats have been in the 45-60 foot range, and traveling one or two knots faster than us.
This adventure (An adventure is something that, when you start it you do not know how it will end.) This adventure has several phases: 1. North Carolina to New England. 2. New England to Azores/Madeira/Canaries. 3. In the Canaries. 4. Canaries back across the Atlantic. 5. the 2000 miles back up to North Carolina. Phase 4 has almost been completed. I will still have 2000 miles to go, but as Normandie says, I will be in my home waters. Most of the way will be day sailing between islands. I hope to share this part of the journey with others, and stop and see friends and relatives along the way. And there will be afternoon swims, waving palms, and sunsets from the foredeck. But first I need to fix whatever is wrong with the driveline. That will be tomorrow.
This has been an exceptional crossing. Few have had it so easy. But now, with gentile winds on the last day, and a peaceful night, tomorrow it will end. Give thanks that we have made it and no one has gotten hurt.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
Advent II
Antigua 63 miles
And as Normandie says,"It is not the size of the boat, it's the motion of the ocean."
Friday, December 11, 2015
Beautiful Night
Absolutely beautiful night. Clear sky, no rainy clouds, stars so bright the lessor ones overwhelm the brighter ones. Wind is warm, and about 10 kts, perfect for the 4.5 kt boat speed we need for daybreak Sunday morning. Seas calm, boat motion easy, just a gentle swaying from side to side. I want to share it with everybody.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Friday 11 December
Friday 11 December - 180 miles to Antigua
A beautiful day sailing; 5.5 - 6.0 knots. The problem is that if we continue to sail at 5.5 knots we will arrive Antigua in the dark and have to stop and wait for daylight before we enter the harbour. So we are trying to maintain the speed between 4.0 and 5.0 knots to get there at daybreak, or more precisely, the start of nautical twilight. The boat doesn't understand why we are going slowly and, like a horse being constrained, is not really happy. She will understand Sunday morning. Other than sailing slowly today, and I expect tomorrow, the last day, will be just like any other day. Just another day of beautiful sailing.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
A beautiful day sailing; 5.5 - 6.0 knots. The problem is that if we continue to sail at 5.5 knots we will arrive Antigua in the dark and have to stop and wait for daylight before we enter the harbour. So we are trying to maintain the speed between 4.0 and 5.0 knots to get there at daybreak, or more precisely, the start of nautical twilight. The boat doesn't understand why we are going slowly and, like a horse being constrained, is not really happy. She will understand Sunday morning. Other than sailing slowly today, and I expect tomorrow, the last day, will be just like any other day. Just another day of beautiful sailing.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Thursday 10 December
Thursday 10 December - 350 miles to Antigua
It has not been but a few days that it has been warm enough in the afternoon to feel sweaty, and the idea of a cockpit shower has not been attractive. But today has been warm, the seas calm, and we are only three day out, no problem with the water supply. Wonderful cockpit showers! Even splurged enough to wash some clothes. Sponge baths are OK I guess, but nothing refreshes you all over like a real shower.
In a few days the cockpit shower will be preceded by a swim in Caribbean waters. Then drinks on the foredeck. Three more days!
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
It has not been but a few days that it has been warm enough in the afternoon to feel sweaty, and the idea of a cockpit shower has not been attractive. But today has been warm, the seas calm, and we are only three day out, no problem with the water supply. Wonderful cockpit showers! Even splurged enough to wash some clothes. Sponge baths are OK I guess, but nothing refreshes you all over like a real shower.
In a few days the cockpit shower will be preceded by a swim in Caribbean waters. Then drinks on the foredeck. Three more days!
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Wednesday 09 December - Not Under Command
Wednesday 09 December - 463 miles to Antigua
About three bells in the morning watch (05:30) still dark, Sterling woke me to check a ship that concerned him. The "Orient Strength" was on the AIS and its lights plainly visible, eight miles directly on our bow. The odd thing was that its speed was 1.2 knots. The AIS gave the following information: Length 837 feet. Speed 1.2 knots. Heading (the direction the ship is pointed) 152 degrees. Course over Ground (the direction the ship is moving) 230 degrees. Rotation ( a measure of the ship turning) 2 degrees per minute. (very slow turn). We wondered. I didn't want to go back to sleep until we figured it out. It is not moving in the direction it is heading, moving and turning very slowly. We decided that it was drifting. Then we went to "notes" on the AIS and it said "Not Under Command". I have never, ever seen a craft officially Not Under Command. The Rules say "The term 'Vessel Not Under Command' means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of other vessels." In other words, it is broke down. I was tempted to call him on the VHF radio and ask if we could be of any assistance. . . We sailed on past.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
About three bells in the morning watch (05:30) still dark, Sterling woke me to check a ship that concerned him. The "Orient Strength" was on the AIS and its lights plainly visible, eight miles directly on our bow. The odd thing was that its speed was 1.2 knots. The AIS gave the following information: Length 837 feet. Speed 1.2 knots. Heading (the direction the ship is pointed) 152 degrees. Course over Ground (the direction the ship is moving) 230 degrees. Rotation ( a measure of the ship turning) 2 degrees per minute. (very slow turn). We wondered. I didn't want to go back to sleep until we figured it out. It is not moving in the direction it is heading, moving and turning very slowly. We decided that it was drifting. Then we went to "notes" on the AIS and it said "Not Under Command". I have never, ever seen a craft officially Not Under Command. The Rules say "The term 'Vessel Not Under Command' means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of other vessels." In other words, it is broke down. I was tempted to call him on the VHF radio and ask if we could be of any assistance. . . We sailed on past.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Tuesday 08 December
Tuesday 08 December - 1545 miles from Cape Verde Islands
The Canary Islands are dry, almost no rainfall. The public Utility warer in Lanzarote is all desalinated. In Cape Verde Islands we had to buy water for the tanks. I think I have seen rain only twice since maybe the Azores. In the past few days we have discovered that those white puffy clouds I have been enjoying so much have rain in them. Not much, but a heavy sprinkle. As of last night they have become bothersome. Day or night they are obvious up in the sky so you can see them coming. The first thing is that over about two minutes the windspeed increases about 10 knots. So, being always alert that is the time to frantically furl the genoa. Hopefully the genoa gets furled in time to go below before the rain starts. It heavily sprinkles for about ten minutes as the wind dies. Then it takes 30 maybe 45 minutes for the wind to slowly pick back up again. As we move west the air is getting noticeably warmer and the sprinkles get more frequent. Another thing is the water temperature back in the Canaries was 71 degrees F. That is OK for the Northern Europeans for pleasure swimming but not me. I just measured the temp here and it is 81 degrees F. I am looking forward to some afternoon swims. It has been a long time.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
The Canary Islands are dry, almost no rainfall. The public Utility warer in Lanzarote is all desalinated. In Cape Verde Islands we had to buy water for the tanks. I think I have seen rain only twice since maybe the Azores. In the past few days we have discovered that those white puffy clouds I have been enjoying so much have rain in them. Not much, but a heavy sprinkle. As of last night they have become bothersome. Day or night they are obvious up in the sky so you can see them coming. The first thing is that over about two minutes the windspeed increases about 10 knots. So, being always alert that is the time to frantically furl the genoa. Hopefully the genoa gets furled in time to go below before the rain starts. It heavily sprinkles for about ten minutes as the wind dies. Then it takes 30 maybe 45 minutes for the wind to slowly pick back up again. As we move west the air is getting noticeably warmer and the sprinkles get more frequent. Another thing is the water temperature back in the Canaries was 71 degrees F. That is OK for the Northern Europeans for pleasure swimming but not me. I just measured the temp here and it is 81 degrees F. I am looking forward to some afternoon swims. It has been a long time.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Monday, December 7, 2015
Monday 07 December
Monday 07 December - 1410 miles from Cape Verde Islands
This is absolutely beautiful sailing. The wind has dropped to force 4, about 15 kts, and it is directly behind us, pushing us at about 5 kts. A beautiful clear sky above and the ocean is peaceful. The boat just keeps going west. We don't touch anything. It is as if the boat has a mind of her own, and wants to go to the Caribbean. We are just riding along.
A surprise is that we have not seen much traffic out here. We have seen two ships, one of them directly behind us moving up. The AIS showed it would passclose on one side then the other. That means possible collision. At three miles it altered course and passed one mile on the stbd side. It amazes me that with as much ocean there is out here, that two craft can be in the same spot at the same time and run into each other. We have also seen three sailboats, in the 45 to 60 foot range, crossing our track from our stbd quarter (if a car the right back fender) passing us and going off to the left. These boats are going to an island south of us, probably St Lucia, and are probably boats from the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, ARC. 250 of them left The Canaries a week or so ago and all of them have to cross our track. I would love to see their tracks, and look at where we are, and see if any are coming close. You can do that on the internet.
From Will: "You are in the center of the fleet with more and more passing you both to your north and south. The boats are spread from 15-22 N Lat and some have reached St Lucia and they are spread east as far as 41 W Long. Follow this link and scroll over the viewing options at the top of the viewing pane and find the Lat/Lon overlay -www.worldcruising.com/arc/arc/eventfleetviewer.aspx "
If you get that far, our position is Lat 17degrees 30 minutes north, Long 50 degrees 00minutes west
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
This is absolutely beautiful sailing. The wind has dropped to force 4, about 15 kts, and it is directly behind us, pushing us at about 5 kts. A beautiful clear sky above and the ocean is peaceful. The boat just keeps going west. We don't touch anything. It is as if the boat has a mind of her own, and wants to go to the Caribbean. We are just riding along.
A surprise is that we have not seen much traffic out here. We have seen two ships, one of them directly behind us moving up. The AIS showed it would passclose on one side then the other. That means possible collision. At three miles it altered course and passed one mile on the stbd side. It amazes me that with as much ocean there is out here, that two craft can be in the same spot at the same time and run into each other. We have also seen three sailboats, in the 45 to 60 foot range, crossing our track from our stbd quarter (if a car the right back fender) passing us and going off to the left. These boats are going to an island south of us, probably St Lucia, and are probably boats from the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, ARC. 250 of them left The Canaries a week or so ago and all of them have to cross our track. I would love to see their tracks, and look at where we are, and see if any are coming close. You can do that on the internet.
From Will: "You are in the center of the fleet with more and more passing you both to your north and south. The boats are spread from 15-22 N Lat and some have reached St Lucia and they are spread east as far as 41 W Long. Follow this link and scroll over the viewing options at the top of the viewing pane and find the Lat/Lon overlay -www.worldcruising.com/arc/arc/eventfleetviewer.aspx "
If you get that far, our position is Lat 17degrees 30 minutes north, Long 50 degrees 00minutes west
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Sunday 06 December - Advent II
Sunday 06 December - Advent II - 1295 miles from Cape Verde Islands
Ditto
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Ditto
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Saturday 05 December
Saturday 05 December - 1164 miles from Cape Verde Islands
We made the big sail change today. Back in the Canaries and all the way down the coast of Africa the prevailing wind was from the north or NE. All the way from Canaries to Cape Verde Islands the wind was over our left shoulder (blowing real hard!) Then from Cape Verde Islands we sailed straight west, and the wind was over our right shoulder, still north-east. Now, in the trade winds, as we go more westward the wind is coming more and more from the east. The forecast is that in three days we will have solid east wind, all the rest of the way. We crossed the boom, and are now sailing wing 'n wing right before the wind, and probably will for the rest of the trip.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
We made the big sail change today. Back in the Canaries and all the way down the coast of Africa the prevailing wind was from the north or NE. All the way from Canaries to Cape Verde Islands the wind was over our left shoulder (blowing real hard!) Then from Cape Verde Islands we sailed straight west, and the wind was over our right shoulder, still north-east. Now, in the trade winds, as we go more westward the wind is coming more and more from the east. The forecast is that in three days we will have solid east wind, all the rest of the way. We crossed the boom, and are now sailing wing 'n wing right before the wind, and probably will for the rest of the trip.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Friday, December 4, 2015
Friday 04 December
Friday 04 December - 1020 miles from Cape Verde
Exceptionally good sailing. The waves are large, but even and spaced out so the ride is smooth. The wind feels like about 15 kts but we are going 6+ knots.
We may have arrived at a routine. The day starts at 20:00 in the evening when I go to bed and Sterling goes on watch, until midnight when we switch. Then at 04:00 I go back to bed and he comes on until 08:00. The last few days Sterling has stayed awake until about 15:00 when he goes down until his watch at 20:00. We have one common meal a day, about 14:00. Sterling does all the cooking and I do all the cleanup. Other trips have been rice 'n stuff. This trip is beans 'n stuff. This system seems to be working well.
If we ever have to change the sails we will have forgotten how to do it. The wind stays on out stbd quarter, over our right shoulder. Sometimes it blows 20, sometimes 15. One day it was 10. I think I like Atlantic trade wind sailing.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Exceptionally good sailing. The waves are large, but even and spaced out so the ride is smooth. The wind feels like about 15 kts but we are going 6+ knots.
We may have arrived at a routine. The day starts at 20:00 in the evening when I go to bed and Sterling goes on watch, until midnight when we switch. Then at 04:00 I go back to bed and he comes on until 08:00. The last few days Sterling has stayed awake until about 15:00 when he goes down until his watch at 20:00. We have one common meal a day, about 14:00. Sterling does all the cooking and I do all the cleanup. Other trips have been rice 'n stuff. This trip is beans 'n stuff. This system seems to be working well.
If we ever have to change the sails we will have forgotten how to do it. The wind stays on out stbd quarter, over our right shoulder. Sometimes it blows 20, sometimes 15. One day it was 10. I think I like Atlantic trade wind sailing.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Thursday 3 December
Thursday 03 December - 897 miles from Cape Verde
The wind picked up to 20 knots and we have been sailing more than 6 knots all day. Of course the waves are up too. It is not too bad because the wind has been blowing long enough for the waves to settle down and get more regular. They are large, but even. The only drawback is that about once an hour we get spray in the cockpit. It is annoying. We rigged a weather cloth (thank you Normandie) and it keeps most out. Most, I say. I had showered off, clean shorts, lounging in the cockpit just aft of the weather cloth, when, KERSPLOSH!! Not spray. Green water. I was soaked. Soaked to the point that I literally poured water out of my shoes. I re rinsed off with fresh water and everything is drying. Just a minor annoyance.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
The wind picked up to 20 knots and we have been sailing more than 6 knots all day. Of course the waves are up too. It is not too bad because the wind has been blowing long enough for the waves to settle down and get more regular. They are large, but even. The only drawback is that about once an hour we get spray in the cockpit. It is annoying. We rigged a weather cloth (thank you Normandie) and it keeps most out. Most, I say. I had showered off, clean shorts, lounging in the cockpit just aft of the weather cloth, when, KERSPLOSH!! Not spray. Green water. I was soaked. Soaked to the point that I literally poured water out of my shoes. I re rinsed off with fresh water and everything is drying. Just a minor annoyance.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Wednesday 02 Decenber
Wednesday 02 December - 760 miles from Cape Verde
It has been pointed out to me that I have not introduced Sterling. Sterling Spencer. One day back at Marina San Miguel on Tenerife a young man came walking down the pontoon, stopped and said, "I understand you need crew." I said,"Yep". He said,"I'm your man." I told him to come back in a few weeks. The third time he came by I said,"Yep, we sail on the 16th." He wants to sail to the Caribbean, and I can take him there. There might be a picture of him on adventtwo.blogspot.com. I haven't had internet in a long time and I don't know what is on the blogspot. I think it has these daily updates, some pictures, links to other pictures, and a link to the inReach satellite track. If you go to the inReach track all you may see is ocean. You will have to zoom way out to see where we are relative to land.
So we are going to the Caribbean. The problem is that we do not have a destination. Sterling has been making his way sailing on a private yacht to a resort area and getting a job until he moves on, sailing to a new exotic location. I told him I would take him anywhere he wanted to go. The problem is that neither he nor I know of any tourist locations in the Caribbean. His best opportunity will be at a place where the cruise ships land, where there are resorts, hotels, tourist catamaran, tourist snorkel boats, bars, night clubs, etc. I will use Caicos Island (Turks & Caicos) as an example. There is an east side of the island and a west side. The west side is the "boat side". I know the boat side. There is the marina, kite boarding beach, anchorage, supermarket. Get in the car and drive to the east side of the island to Providenciales, (Provo), however, and there are resorts, hotels, snorkel boats, the whole thing. The kind of place he is looking for. I am somewhat familiar with the Caribbean Islands, but I am only familiar with the boat side. What I see is a seaside village with a beautiful anchorage, not resorts and restaurants.
So I am requesting input. Surely some of you have been to the Caribbean, maybe on a cruise ship, and know the location of some resort beaches. Please let me know. It would really help.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
It has been pointed out to me that I have not introduced Sterling. Sterling Spencer. One day back at Marina San Miguel on Tenerife a young man came walking down the pontoon, stopped and said, "I understand you need crew." I said,"Yep". He said,"I'm your man." I told him to come back in a few weeks. The third time he came by I said,"Yep, we sail on the 16th." He wants to sail to the Caribbean, and I can take him there. There might be a picture of him on adventtwo.blogspot.com. I haven't had internet in a long time and I don't know what is on the blogspot. I think it has these daily updates, some pictures, links to other pictures, and a link to the inReach satellite track. If you go to the inReach track all you may see is ocean. You will have to zoom way out to see where we are relative to land.
So we are going to the Caribbean. The problem is that we do not have a destination. Sterling has been making his way sailing on a private yacht to a resort area and getting a job until he moves on, sailing to a new exotic location. I told him I would take him anywhere he wanted to go. The problem is that neither he nor I know of any tourist locations in the Caribbean. His best opportunity will be at a place where the cruise ships land, where there are resorts, hotels, tourist catamaran, tourist snorkel boats, bars, night clubs, etc. I will use Caicos Island (Turks & Caicos) as an example. There is an east side of the island and a west side. The west side is the "boat side". I know the boat side. There is the marina, kite boarding beach, anchorage, supermarket. Get in the car and drive to the east side of the island to Providenciales, (Provo), however, and there are resorts, hotels, snorkel boats, the whole thing. The kind of place he is looking for. I am somewhat familiar with the Caribbean Islands, but I am only familiar with the boat side. What I see is a seaside village with a beautiful anchorage, not resorts and restaurants.
So I am requesting input. Surely some of you have been to the Caribbean, maybe on a cruise ship, and know the location of some resort beaches. Please let me know. It would really help.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Tuesday 01 December
Tuesday 01 December - 635 miles from Cape Verde
The wind veered around some to the east so we went to wing 'n wing, with the genoa poled out to port and the trisail out to stbd. We picked up some speed, but there is no side force of the sails to dampen the boat roll. And the wind picked up some so the waves are increasing. This makes really awkward boat motion. I am having a really hard time at the keyboard. Hanging on with two hands I can't type.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
The wind veered around some to the east so we went to wing 'n wing, with the genoa poled out to port and the trisail out to stbd. We picked up some speed, but there is no side force of the sails to dampen the boat roll. And the wind picked up some so the waves are increasing. This makes really awkward boat motion. I am having a really hard time at the keyboard. Hanging on with two hands I can't type.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
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