13:51.39N  61:03.98W

27/1/13

After a couple of days in Mustique we left at 0630 to make the jump to St Lucia.

I didn’t want to stop on St Vincent, and went up the windward side of the island to get a better aim at St Lucia. It was bumpy motor sailing for a few hours, but I reckoned the investment would pay off later. In fact we had current of about 1 knot helping us for a large part of the way, and when we reached the northern headland of St Vincent we had a brilliant sail across the channel to St Lucia.

We had been getting a little water in the port bilge on the way, so I eventually investigated it when the engine had cooled somewhat. Oops, a split raw water cooling hose where it enters the exhaust. Just for once the fix was easy, so with lifejacket and harness holding me on I went into the engine bay and fixed it. Yup, surprised me too.

The last hour was a fantastic reach, averaging 8 kts and hitting 10.2 at one point.

We had a day spare so we picked up a mooring at the Bat Caves, just under the Pitons (mountains). A wonderful location, with excellent snorkelling right off the back of the boat. The ropes were half chaffed through, but I judged them OK for a night with little wind.

Repairs at 8 kts:

The Pitons behind Ilka: