30th March

Seaspray
Thu 2 Apr 2015 15:52

At position 25 00N, 65 00W, we decided to head back to the Caribbean as Bermuda Radio was sending weather reports via Navtex of a cluster of force 10 storms tracking south east between us and Bermuda and as we had been beating into a force seven for eighteen hours we were in no mood for more fair ground rides. Also, the main hatches were leaking again and the saloon was soaking wet. 

Just after we had turned around we put the kettle on and had a brew only to discover that the fresh water tank was full of salt water. The night before we met the strong winds, Ian and I had tided up the deck and we decided to pour two jerry cans of water into the main tank. After this, we were distracted by other work and forgot to put the cap back on the deck fitting. Luckily, the cap was still on the deck!

During the eight day trip, Andy and his understudy, Christian, had produced some fine meals from the galley and I had managed to rip the bottom of the cruising chute when we were using it as a spinnaker, so all in all, it was not the best cruise we have had although we were treated to a display of a couple of whales flapping their tails in the middle of the ocean.

We made out way to Tortola on the British Virgin Islands (18 25N, 64 37W) where I left the boat for a weeks holiday in Bermuda. Ian is now in charge of the boat and I believe that they have planned a cruise to take in a look at Richard Branson's island and then end up in Sint Martins where I re-join the boat on the 9th April.

The plan then is to leave gain for Bermuda on the 11th April. Having been here for almost a day now, I am sure that Ian, Andy and Christian will enjoy their visit here. It's a beautiful island and the people are really friendly. I have already booked Sea Spray in for a new Furlex and for a Raymarine engineer to have a look at our intermittent auto-pilot problem.
 

Mike White

Mob: 07825925838/Sat Phone:+881631528694

mike {CHANGE TO AT} tradewind {DOT} eclipse {DOT} co {DOT} uk