Tobago Cays. 12 38.106N 61 21.694W
Persephone... Cruiser/Racer
Nigel & Karen Goodhew...
Fri 10 Feb 2017 16:26
Four years ago, with an entire crew on board, we tried to visit the Grenadines and Tobago Cays, but were denied the chance through a confluence of an unreliable engine and some logistical deadlines. By the time our engine was repaired, we simply had to dash past and get to St Lucia and onward. We consoled ourselves then by listening to the stories of folk who had visited the Cays, and mentioned uncomfortable rolly nights in the prevalent very strong winds.
This time, the planning is better and the weather just a tad more windy than perfection. We set off from the anchorage at Saline Bay, Mayreau, heading north around the point on northern flank of Saltwhistle bay, and then around the reef a mile or so to the north east. Then, engine failure again! We were about 100 metres off the reef and quickly hoisted a scrap of jib, while Nigel ran through the well rehearsed routines of filter removal, inspection, replacement and bleeding the air out of the fuel system. Michael R held Persephone on a reachy course while all this was going on, so no problem. But Nigel could not bring any fuel through....we had a blockage. A further investigation seemed to indicate the blockage was in the fuel tank, so a little quick thinking and a spare rubber hose, coupled to the dinghy pump came in handy, to blow the blockage clear. It was surprising how much pressure was required.
After two passes along the approach path to the pricipal anchorage, between two reefs, and a brief exploration of a section of the approach "road" which was a little shallower than we would really like, the engine was going again and we nosed our way into the anchorage between the islets of Petit Rameau and Petit Bateau. Anchor down and Persephone still, our first priority in this Caribbean paradise of azure water, coral reefs, sandy beaches, cold beers, rum punches et al, was to turn the other cheek, remove the top of the fuel tank, dive in and find out what and why the fuel line was becoming blocked. Nigel and Michael set to with the spanners while Karen and Anna plied them with cool drinks, and then N had to dive into the tank....right arm in lovely diesel up to the shoulder. In there, were several scraps of what seemed to be chamois leather....how they got there is a complete mystery, but out they came. We also used a pump to remove any potential water sitting in the bottom of the tank and now all is well.
Then it was on with the serious business of some snorkelling, cold beers and so on.
This is a picture postcard spot. The water is pale blue, the sand is white, the sky is clear and bright and even the moon is full. There is a bay just inside the famous Horseshoe Reef where the turtles swim with the sailing tourists. The boat boys are informative, polite and patient. They even extended us a line of credit after we went ashore without any money, which enabled us to buy a few beers. 48 hours here will be just fine by me.
Ena Vigo arrived an hour or so after us and struggled a little with setting in an anchor, but after a couple of attempts, lie serenely alongside us.
We have resolved to try another beach barbecue tonight before heading off to Bequia at the weekend and a rendezvous with Win2Win, fingers crossed.
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