The Shakedown Cruise to Antigua - 07/05/2015

And now a report straight from the first mate....

" After a wonderful sendoff by friends and family we discovered that one of our crossing crew was missing. After leaving Trinidad’s 1st Boca at 6:10 pm on Thursday we immediately discovered that not all of the crew had joined the ship. Otto, the auto-helm was found to be absent (read not-working) despite previous checks to the contrary. We pressed on, the wind was 15-18 knots from the SE and the sea state moderate to flat. With reefed sails and under the full moon we blazed a dry-deck trail 7.5- 8.6 knots towards Grenada. Otto was in danger of becoming redundant. After Reggie recovered from his overnight sail he got Otto back aboard (a loose wire) and our 6^th warrior sailed a flawless course to Antigua over the next 2 days.

Typical shakedown issues occurred that night. The roller-furler line parted, and a cotter-pin on the vang broke loose – neither was a crisis. The wind had dropped some, so the full 100% jib became useful. And a knot was made to join the ends of the furler line (this was to be replaced in Antigua).  We were under Grenada long before sunrise, the jib, furled and we were motoring easily along the coast.

Off St. Vincent, the team took the decision to go straight to Antigua and save 24 hrs. The fair winds and moderate seas continued. Off Dominica we were treated to dolphins for more than half an hour, the little rascals leaping out of the sea on regular occasions. There were spectacular sunsets, but no green flash.

Thanks to the support team we ate 3 meals daily including Jenny’s paleau, May’s pizza, Shirley’s lasagna and Pedro’s sausages. I’m taking all the glowing credit for these tasty treats.

Len & Mervin kept the discussion going for most of the 2 days, recalling common acquaintances, the issues and experiences past and present.

The water maker worked beautifully, as did the Sat. phone. Thanks to the poor unfortunate friend who received that call ($$$$$$). However the fuel transfer pump got taken off at the last minute so tank transfer will be postponed until the replacement arrives and jerry cans sufficed in the interim.

We would have been in Antigua 12 hours earlier (2 days), but Reggie made the decision to slow down and arrive within the safety of daylight. Sir. Hugh called us up before we had crossed the entrance to Falmouth just after sunrise. After blazing a trail, we were back “home again” in Antigua, if only for a little while."

The team is now sailing up just off the Eastern coast of Barbuda on their way to the Azores. We wish them the best of luck and fair winds!