St Barts - Antigua - Unofficial Race
Bonkers
Donald Macdonald
Sat 20 Apr 2024 19:51
Last night we went to a Pizza restuarant for dinner. So? You may say. This one does not do circular pizzas but rectangular ones either 0.5 or 1 meter long and 25cm wide. The offerings were good. We had half meter one between 2 and you can have any 2 choices of toppings, if 1m then 4 choices. The pizza does come out on a big platter and on a stand above where your plate is and take slices as required.
We left the anchorage at 0745 this morning and started our race to Antigua @ 08.12.20. All boats can start when they like and just record start and finish times, you are even allowed to use your engine as long as time used recorded. The reason for engine use is that some boats have guests on and they have already booked accommodation in Antigua, the downside for these boats they have to get to Customs & Immigration before they close at 1600 in Jolly Harbour.
We started out fast on a tight reach. The wind is oscillating 30 degrees over 10 minute period initially, then it backed 50 degrees for an hour and wind speed down to less than 8 knots. We were 20 degrees off where we wanted to go. Wind steady at the moment and have an apparent wind angle of 55 degrees and 12 knots of breeze. If this keeps up may finish 0200 your time 2100 local.
About 30 minutes ago I was removing the French curtesy flay and putting up the Antigua and Q flags heard a loud noise in front of the boat. Looked up and about 150m away 3 whales. Ran back to cockpit to bearaway as was heading straight at them. Saw lots of water blowing and just the tails a couple of times. No camera on deck then, poor organisation.
Not sure what is for dinner as had not thought about it, maybe pasta ravioli, bread and peas, then mixed fruit cocktail.