Martinique to Panama – young crew
We had spent far too much time in Martinique and Saint Lucia waiting for the Raymarine screens. We were ready to go.
Crew
Two weeks earlier I had seen a post on the Caribbean Crew Facebook site by a young couple looking for a ride to Panama. After thinking about it we decided that having more crew would make the watches easier. I contacted them and their CVs and personality sounded great so we agreed that Marin and Charlotte would join us in the last week of April.
A day later Will sent me a note saying he had seen my answer to the blog Charlotte had posted and asking if I would think of having another. After an exchange of information, I agreed.
It was the right decision – it was refreshing, interesting, and fun. Also, Charlotte and Marin were every good cooks.
Anse D’Arlet, then Anse Noir and Anse Dufour
We were delayed about a week from when we had first planned to leave, so we went up to Anse D’Arlet, then Anse Noir and Anse Dufour trying to fill in some of the time. Good for an initial sail and to get away from Le Marin, and Saint Anne and do some snorkeling.
Snorkeling
Saint Lucia
We arrived back at Saint Lucia to pick up the screen on the Wednesday night before Easter as we had been told it would be ready to collect on Thursday. We anchored late and went into the marina for dinner – it was a beautiful night.
Thursday and no screen – we were told that customs had had Monday and Tuesday off and that it hadn’t turned up on Thursday and nothing would be open until Tuesday. We were not happy.!!
The crew went to walk over the fort and I went to exchange some books at our favourite cafe. I discovered that the park was fixing the dock but rescinding the license for the restaurant and giving the license to someone else. I was very sad to hear of the political maneuvers. The boys enjoyed the seating at the quirky tables tables.
Against all odds we made some inquiries and were told that the chandlery in Martinique would be open on Easter Saturday – so we checked out of Saint Lucia on Thursday afternoon and headed north back to Martinique. A beautiful day with no wind so motored all the way.
Martinique
We anchored in Saint Annes again and first thing in the morning I went to check in and Hew went to get the screen – surprisingly it was there and ready for us. Brilliant. We paid the guy and gave him a bottle of wine for all his help. The second screen had been received first and we were so relieved – it went into the helm station and worked perfectly.
We returned to the anchorage and decided that we were going to stay in Martinique until Tuesday so we should all do something. I went ashore for a swim and to take some photos of the lovely sunset and it was the last time we were in Saint Annes.
Anse Sainte Anne
Anse Saline
The crew had friends who were going to visit and they decided to walk around to Anse Saline. We had seen the beach on the way in and decided we might go around for the day – it was supposed to be day anchorages only.
When the crew got to Anse Saline they texted about how lovely it was so Hew and I took the yacht around and anchored on the western end which looked nearer to the snorkeling and close to the restaurant as they said they were at a restaurant -but they were at another. Their friends were camping and they were halfway up the beach. Under all the trees there were dozens of tents.
Anyway – I went for a snorkel and the crew decided they would swim out after lunch with their friends some time later they turned up. then ensured an afternoon and night of music and jamming. Salem and Will both great players – Salem had not played a piano for 9 years but had her guitar at the tent.
They went in the dingy to get their gear and the guitar then the session continued.
Later Salem’s boyfriend Jude turned up – he had also swum out but was just told we were on a catamaran – when he got far enough out he could hear which one.
What a great night!
The next morning it was back to Sainte Anne but only to check out – it was windy and rough.
Saint Lucia
We finally picked up the last Raymarine screen from Ezone, then customs, and checked out. Once we were signed out, we went to the fuel dock where it poured with rain right after we had arrived so we put the Nav station screen in, checked all the software, and changed the chart card, and we were ready to leave.
We refuelled after the rain finished and left with the sunset
Finally the Passage
We were finally on the way. The first night we decided to be conservative, the wind was up 20 g 25 so we just wandered off with one reef in the main and genoa.
In the morning we got up and the weather was looking good so we rolled out the Code Zero and discussed raising the spinnaker after breakfast when Hew had woken up. As they say – nothing goes according to plan. As Hew came up from bed – he noticed that the roller furler for the Code zero was on a weird angle so the halyard must have slipped – no such luck. The sheath on the halyard had separated from the core. We furled it to drop it onto the deck but could not get the halyard down. So Hew had to go up the mast. Still blowing 20kts and rolling 2m seas – not nice. Ended up cutting the line.
The rest of the trip was with the genoa and main and all downwind. Very frustrating but nothing could be done – even though there was a spare halyard it was too rough to go up the mast right to the exit point to run mouse lines and then a new halyard and lash that to the mast. A job for a calm spot.
Anyway, we were on our way and time was running out. Here are a few photos of the trip.
We arrived at Shelter Bay at 1830 L to a very friendly welcome back, which was lovely. The next day we cleaned up and tried to check out but the Port Captain never turned up so no one could leave. The following day we were cleared in early, Marin and Charlotte were off to Costa Rico, and Will stayed around for a couple of days before cycling up the coast to Portobello. The new crew for the Pacific(older) Graeme, Geordie, and Craig arrived before the others had left the yacht.
The next stage of the expedition was about to start.
