The awesome sail to Bonaire

Serai
Jason and Emily Willis
Sat 3 Feb 2007 22:22
Clear Day12:09.0N 68:17.02W
WOW - What a sail and what a boat.....Serai sailed the 449 miles from
Grenada to Bonaire beautifully. This was the first time we have ever sailed
Serai on a downwind passage. We expected it to take around 4 days and we
said that we would be happy if we averaged 120 miles a day but Serai
performed much better than that, trucking along at 155-160 miles a day!! To
the extent that we made such good time, that for us to enter in daylight, we
had to slow down.

We had great winds, around 15-20knots most of the time and a nice following
sea, around 6-8ft, pushing us along. We poled out the headsail and had a
reef in the main most of the time which balanced the boat nicely. We did try
most sail configurations to see how much more effective it was and as the
wind grew stronger in the evenings we often furled in the Genoa and just ran
with the main, after we had been surfing at around 10.6 knots the previous
hour!! A bit too fast for Serai.
Of course we couldn't go 450 miles without seeing some beautiful sunsets
especially when the dolphins came to play. J aslo caught us a Tuna which we
soon had filleted and in the fridge marinating rady for dinner that evening.

The windvane has officially been named now after performing so well on this
passage. After much debate we had a couple of options. But what to call
something so hard working and dependable? It never quibbles and indeed at
times peforms so well, its as if its smoking. It seems to perform in all
weathers and indeed never even falls asleep on long night passages. It does
exactly as its told day after day, with out so much as grudge. Of course
there could only be one name in the end - Wincey the Windvane! And all those
at North Walsham Police Station will know why!

Once we finally got to Bonaire we turned to get in to the lee of her,
thinking that we would get into calmer water, but oh no, the weather still
had something up her sleeve. It decided to blow about 30 knots! We rushed to
reef the main, taking her to the second reef. Eveything slowed somewhat and
we arrived in the anchorage as the sun came up. This is a good job as we had
absolutely no charts for Bonaire! We had looked at some guide books in the
chandlery before leaving Grenada so new there were no hazards to speak of.
We had also noted down some waypoints to help us out. I knew Bill would
never forgive me if I made a night-entry, so we timed our arrival for
daybreak - perfect!

First impressions of Bonaire...well we arrived in rain and cloud and it has
not improved all day. It looks a bit ramshackle on shore. Everyone we see,
and I mean Everyone, is dressed in wetsuits. I hope the diving is as good as
they say!

Till the next time!

Lots of love

J and Ems xx