St Lucia

True Colours
James Scrimshaw
Fri 14 Mar 2014 13:19

 

Position 14:04.44N 060:57.03W

Thursday morning we set off from St Pierre at 07.30.  Absolutely no wind so we motored for about an hour before the wind filled in, giving us a close reach at the forecast 15kn.   Under a single reefed main and reduced genoa we were making 7.5 knots down the west side of Martinique and subsequently through the St. Lucia channel.  We were accompanied most of the way by flying fish which sees to take great joy in skimming through the tops of the waves. 

Only blot on the journey was a lack of electric power.  The batteries do not seem to be holding power and we had to have the motor on, but out of gear, for a good proportion of the journey just to keep the voltage up.  Another thing to be checked in St Lucia!

We arrived in Rodney Bay at 14.00 after a trip of 46Nm and after sorting out ropes, fenders, etc. Called the marina.  No response so we motored in, where the marina staff found us and guided us to our berth  We then went to customs to clear in where we met Sid from Limin Time  They are in the bay but coming into the marina tomorrow so we have said we must meet up for a drink.

So for the first tine since St. Maarten we are in a marina berth and planning to stay for 5 days  Upside is security (no swinging or concerns about anchor or moorings holding) and lack of motion of the boat – downside no wind and mosquitos!

Pina Coladas and meal ashore.  Today we start on the jobs list  - if the rain permits; it’s been raining  heavily and almost continuously for the past 5 hours.