sy Timoneer

Noon Position 17deg 18N 63deg  45W

Course – 334 Degrees   Speed –  10  Knots        Day’s Run – 252  Miles

Weather –   Sunny and warm

Wind – 15 knots from 110 degrees

Yesterday we cast the lines off to leave Rodney Bay Marina and got about a boat length from the dock before we ran out of water. There we sat stuck in the mud while waiting 30 minutes for the tide to come in enough for us to continue out the channel. There is only a tide of 1 foot but that makes all the difference getting in and out of this marina. At least we cleaned all the barnacles off the bottom of the keel! The rest of the afternoon went smoothly and we knocked off some miles with great motor sailing. It was a bit of a rolly night with light winds from behind.

At 6.30am I put out the fishing lines. An hour later I was regretting doing that after fighting a marlin for the previous 30 minutes. Penny and I saw some great tail walking before it dived. Eventually other crew came on deck to see why we had been stopped for so long and I passed over the fight to Chan to bring it in so that we could release it. We pulled in the lines after that and waited until we got to  the Saba Bank to try our luck at something a bit smaller. No luck yet after an hour of sailing along the edge of it.

The total trip to Thunderbolt is about 1550nm which should take us about 6 days.

JC

Removing the hook

Timoneer has just completed 2 and a half weeks of cruising with Boo and her guests from Bequia to Grenada and Richard and guests from Grenada to St Lucia. The weather was very kind to us allowing us to see a turtle hatchery and model boat builders in Bequia. Exploring and dining ashore at the exclusive, private island of Mustique. Snorkeling with turtles in the beautiful Tobago Cays. Hiking the hills of Union Island and swimming ashore to its neighboring  private island, Palm Is. Grenada has so much to offer from old forts, spice plantations, hikes through the jungle to waterfalls and one of the favorites, the cocoa plantations and their chocolate samples. The beach restaurants are hard to beat as well.

Fishing was a bit sparse but we managed to catch and release a Barracuda and keep a big Wahoo on the trip down island. On the way back up we caught a tuna, which Penny created some great sushi and sashimi from, and lost another bringing it in. Last but not least, we had plenty of great sailing between the islands taking us from one stunning beach to the next.

JC

It seemed quite obvious that we were not going to win anything with the handicap that we had been given, even after a small adjustment to allow for the fact that we would be sailing without spinnakers. We were relaxed about it and went out in the brightest shirts we could find and intent on having fun. The wind was up again and especially at the start when a squall came through and the wind shifted right and increased. We made a great start at the windward end of the line so we were one of only a few boats that laid the first mark without having to tack. At the later prize giving we were awarded a Magnum of Champagne for having the best start of the whole regatta and the race committee said that we crossed under full power with one second to spare so we were pretty happy with that.

Without the spinnakers we lagged the whole fleet and by the time we got to the leeward mark most boats were way ahead of us. We had put out the fishing lines right at the start line and on the beat back to the finish we had a strike but lost the fish unfortunately. It would have been funny to arrive at the finish with a fish hanging on the backstay!

We finished in 8th place which was out best result so far but that was only because 3 boats had retired with breakages.

We all had a great time and were just sorry that the “boss” could not be on board for a really fun regatta.

Next we head down to St Lucia and the Grenadines for a cruise with guests on board.

Everyone is well and having fun.

Phil

Today there were two shorter races, each about 15 miles. Again we were having a few problems and unfortunately tore our good spinnaker during a gybe down wind. We continued with the race but ended up in 10th place again and then between races Munch was on the sewing machine with Tomac frantically sewing the spinnaker while the rest of us ate a fast sandwich or two. They were still sewing as we crossed the start line for race two but managed to get it finished and packed back into our snuffer for hoisting. Again we had a problem and half way down the leg the spinnaker tore again and was not usable so again we were passed by most of the fleet. Windrose had a few problems at the leeward mark so we managed to squeeze past her and kept her behind us up to the finish so we got a 9th in that race.

After discussions with the sailmakers and crew we decided that repairing the spinnaker overnight was not an option so for the last day we will be racing without one.

The wind was again much the same boisterous trade winds and everyone had a great sail and the photographers had lots of opportunities with spray and water flying in all directions and boats sailing to their maximum.

Roll on tomorrow!

Phil

The skies were blue, the wind was up and the seas were running as we went out for the first day of racing in the Antigua Super Yacht Challenge. The regular trade winds blowing through at 20 to 25 knots, great sailing weather and there were 10 other boats in the regatta.

The start line is right in front of the historic Nelsons Dockyard where all the yachts are docked so it gives everyone on shore a chance to see these large yachts in action. Due to our size and maneuverability we have a pursuit race to avoid any dangers at the start. Timoneer started in the middle of the fleet and had a great sail on a tight reach to the first mark, crashing into the large seas and taking solid water over the bow at times. We bore away at the mark and set our mizzen staysail but still could not catch the front runners. Gybed at the next mark and set our old smaller spinnaker. Unfortunately it was a bit too old and tired and within minutes it exploded and we had some fun and games getting the pieces down and back on board the boat. We decided not to set our big spinnaker so by this time we were being overtaken by some of the bigger and faster boats behind us.

We took a flyer on the last beat to the finish line which took us away from the fleet and out to sea. It was clear that this was not going to work but we had nothing to lose and a tiny chance of pulling off a miracle. It also gave us a chance to put out the fishing lines but alas, not takers for our lures. We figured that if we did catch a fish we could cook it that evening in the Caribbean BBQ competition which was held on the dock behind the boats. It was a great party and lots of fun but at the end of the day we ended up 10th out of 11 boats and did not win the party either!

Tomorrow is another day and lots of room for improving out position.

Everyone is well on board and having lots of fun.

Phil

Noon Position 18deg 04N 63deg  05W

Course –  Degrees   Speed –    Knots        Day’s Run –  281 Miles 25 hours

Weather –   Mostly sunny and FLAT seas

Wind – 13 knots from NE

We had mixed success with the fishing yesterday. We hooked 2 Mahi Mahi and 2 more followed them to the back of the boat. One of the ones we didn’t hook was huge. Unfortunately we only managed to get one onboard, the other got off while we are trying to gaff it. The swell makes it very difficult with the stern of the yacht rising and falling about 15 feet (5m).

At first light today we got another bonito tuna. We passed the finished line for our arrival sweepstake and Gaby took the winnings with her time being just 30 minutes off the actual time. Not bad after 13 days at sea.

We are now anchored in Marigot Bay on the French side, Saint Martin. We will fill up with duty free fuel in the morning and then clear customs and go and anchor in Simpson Bay on the Dutch side, Sint Maarten. We will stay there until the charter boat show in Antigua is finished  and our berth in Nelson’s Dockyard becomes available on Monday.

We have changed our clocks for the last time and are now on Caribbean time (GMT -4)

JC

Noon Position 19deg 20N 58deg  23W

Course – 254 Degrees   Speed – 11.3   Knots        Day’s Run – 280  Miles

Weather –   Mostly cloudy with 6 foot (2m) swells from NE

Wind – 10 knots from E

Yesterday afternoon Dragan managed to hook a marlin long enough to identify it and then it got off the hook. Soon after we entered the rain of a developing low pressure system and it rained all night and only stopped a couple of hours ago. With the rain came wind and we had 25-30 knots  from behind most of that time giving us a good push along. With the wind came big swells and made for another very rolly night.

Tomorrow morning should bring us the very welcome sight of Anguilla and St Martin.

JC

Noon Position 20deg 46N 53deg  40W

Course – 253 Degrees   Speed –  11.0  Knots        Day’s Run – 267  Miles

Weather –   Overcast with a building swell from behind

Wind – 16 knots from E

Not much has changed other than the water temperature is now up to 81F (27C) and we have a lot of rain ahead of us. Yesterday afternoon we managed to hook 2 more Mahi Mahi. Unfortunately we lost one trying to gaff it. We have had no luck since getting back on course and up to speed.

With only 560 miles to go the crew are counting down the hours for when the rolling will stop.

JC

Noon Position 22deg 05N 49deg  08W

Course – 211 Degrees   Speed –  7.3  Knots        Day’s Run –   267 Miles

Weather –   Cloudy with rain squalls and 6 foot (3m) swells

Wind – 15 knots from ESE

This morning we stopped the engine to do an oil change and put up the main sail and genoa to keep us moving. Unfortunately we had to alter course to keep the sails full, hence we are sailing south slowly rather than towards St Martin.

During this time we have managed to catch a Wahoo and a Mahi Mahi. Fish for lunch and dinner today. Lets hope the good fishing continues once we turn the engine back on. We are still waiting for some sushi tuna!

823 miles to go.

JC

Noon Position 23deg 29N 44deg  39W

Course – 253 Degrees   Speed –  10.8  Knots        Day’s Run – 256  Miles

Weather –  Partly cloudy, rain squalls and swells from N

Wind – 16 knots form ENE

The rolling downwind continues and it appears that it will stay that way until we reach St Martin. Today we had a good haul of flying fish from around the decks which Jase then filleted  for us to have for lunch. The fishermen have got so desperate with their lack of success that we have resorted to the maritime equivalent of road kill, but only because we know how good they taste in a beer batter and lightly fried.

JC