14:33.56N 61:03.34W

22 March 2012

Finally got our outboard motor back onboard, still not fixed!  However the sails were installed.  Made repairs to the headsail, some stitching and replacement of portions of the suncover.  The main had the battens removed and the pockets closed up.  Cut the roach to make it like a un-battened main and it furled right into the mast as it should.  The sailmaker said they got another identiacal battened in mast furling sail with exactly the same issues.

So we cleared out of customs/immigration and the marina staff helped with the mooring lines to send us off.  First a stop at the fuel berth for 120 liters of gasoil (diesel) at a little over one Euro per liter ( work it out but it is around 5 dollars per gallon).  Good fuel dock and good diesel on the island since they have their own hydroskimming refinery (must be losing money big time since it runs North Sea crudes). 

We forced a sail along the south coast and turned north where the motor was required as we lost all wind.  Sailing was slow at around 5 to 6 knots.  Motoring up to the major port called Fort de France was fine.  We found a nice anchorage on the south side called Anse Mitan.  This was a hot spot years ago for the Meridian Hotel and associated small town.  After a strong hurricane the hotel was trashed.  Now the town is composed of newer small boutique hotels and the older 1960’s structures around.

The anchorage was fine, protected from the prevailing easterly winds and the bottom was nice sand that the anchor took to very well.  There are many more moorings for almost permanently moored boats.  Judging by the morning activities it looks like they live on the boats and work in the town, taking their dingy to work!

In the morning the ferry traffic in the harbor made it a little rocky but not unbearable.

Anchorage at Anse Mitan.