After 2 weeks of Hot boatyard days working on what we could and enduring some rather hot nights we finally got the mast up!

For the next 4 days we worked long hours preparing Bergy for launching - with the boat yard closing we were really feeling the pressure.

Bright Work was sanded and cetoled, decks were sanded, hull was cleaned and polished, boom was put on, water tanks were filled, roller furler was installed and in-mast wiring was re-connected.

It was here we encountered our first snag. The navigation lights at the top or the mast weren’t working.

Unfortunately sometime during the year the yard crew had run into and broken the navigation light. They did repair it but until the mast was up there was no way of knowing whether or not the lights worked and they didn’t.

The Admiral had also replaced a seal and a seized valve on the head - which came with many many frustrations and which we were soon to find out still leaked. For all those boat owners you all know the joys of marine toilets…. every time you touch one part another part doesn’t work…..

Painting the decks with anti skid would wait until we were on the water.

March 16th we ‘Splashed Down’ and were looking forward to being on the water - the heat in the boat yard had just been too much we were exhausted.

‘Splash Down’ was also another lesson in boat yard time….

We confirmed with the boat yard manager that launch time was 8:00am! Wanting to be prepared we were up at 6:00am taking down tarps, stowing gear and preparing the boat for launching. We weren’t properly prepared when at 7:15am the Travel All arrived - we were told to get off the boat. Bergy was put in the slings and by 7:25am we were in the water.

We were then told we had one hour on the dock to make any necessary adjustments;  they were hauling out a 50ft boat at 8:30am and we had to be out of the way….

We checked for major leaks - gushing water - there were none, but the head was leaking…. and we still had the issue of the navigation light, so the yard manager gave The Admiral a replacement bulb and said he would use the crane and haul The Admiral up in a bosun’s chair. FYI - let’s just say the gear used didn’t meet WCB standards or anything close to it.

For whatever reason the yard manager hauled the Admiral up the back side of the mast meaning the Admiral had to reach around the mast to try to remove the light cover and replace the bulb -  it was a very ‘Admirable’ attempt but unsuccessful. We would ask Jan to help once we were on the water.

We started the motor, after a little coaxing, and headed out into the Lagoon to see if we could find a place to anchor. The Lagoon was full - hundreds of boats getting ready to head back to Europe or the US. Our friend Mirjam suggested we pick up one of the private mooring balls out by their boat and we opted for that. We hadn’t lost our touch and picking up the mooring ball went smoothly.

Once settled we checked on the head - it was leaking. The Admiral tried replacing a hose (one he had already replaced) - still leaking, he tried re -setting the seal - still leaking but he managed to slow the leak down.

As there was no wind we were even able to get the jib (front sail) put on. Things were looking up.

With no wind the day was starting to heat up so we put up the awning and tried to enjoy being on the water!

But sailing on Bergy just wasn’t meant to be this year…..

We spent a very hot night sleepless night on the water and in the morning one more attempt was made to fix the head and the leak only got worse, we had also discovered the stuffing box was leaking!

Hot tired and exhausted - we were done! !

Over a cup of coffee/tea we decided that we would pull Bergy out of the water and take a vacation somewhere down island.

We hauled Bergy out of the Water and started making plans to vacation in St. Lucia

We are cautious sailors and even though both leaks were slow leaks both have the potential of sinking a boat not something we would have wanted to deal with out in the Atlantic or Caribbean Sea

There were probably several other options but at the time - hauling out - going on a Vacation and coming home was the best choice for us. Many die hard sailors can’t understand our decision - but for us it was the best decision!

The Admiral and Gilligan
Looking forward to a St. Lucian vacation…..

Port Zante is set up similar to ports and marinas on the East Coast of the US.

The docks are only fingers  - just enough to step off a boat  - attached to a cement wall . The boat is secured by tying the bow to cleats on the cement wall and by tying two stern lines to pilings located several feet from the dock fingers.  A picture shows it best.

 Port Zante - St. Kitts

 In order to dock there are several things that must happen.  Your approach  must be dead on, you must first clear the pilings but be close enough to lasso at least one if not both as you pass them and you must judge your speed and distance so that you stop just short of the cement wall but close enough to the finger that the person with the dock line can get off the boat.  

Generally there are 2 to 3 people on the dock to guide you in and give you help as you are docking . On the afternoon we arrived in Port Zante there wasn’t a soul in site, so we were on our own…..

Let’s just say that The First Mates docking job was less a than ‘Admirable Landing’. 

None of the above happened.  I ‘wanged’ the cement wall as I hadn’t managed to judge the speed.   I was too far from the finger which meant Bob had to jump off the bow and hope he landed on either the wall or the finger and not in the water and at the same time he had to try and stop the boat!  

Once we got the boat stopped  The Admiral then had to row the dinghy out to the pilings and attach the stern lines.  All the while the wind is blowing the boat around.

I forgot to mention along with everything else, you have to be watch that you don’t crash into boats already at the dock (which we didn’t do).  It wouldn’t be the best way to get to know the neighbours.   

To our friendly neighbours aboard Justin’s Odyssey II -  Dr. Mike  and Beth Smith it was good to get to know you.  We will wave to you on June 13th as you head up Georgia Straight to Alaska….

On a scale of  1- 10 this docking job was a zero…. Mind you in boating terms a good docking job is  one you can walk away from and we did walk away from this one after a bit of angst….

All weekend we watched boats come and go.  I have to say it made me feel better when boats would come in with 4 to 6 people on board and with 3 guys on the dock and still have great trouble docking - sometimes even taking chunks out of  the pilings.  This type of docking is definitely a practised art…

On Easter Sunday when we left Port Zante we had to do everything in reverse - this too is much easier said than done.  We  talked about and rehearsed in our minds how we were going to execute our departure.

This time The Admiral was at the Helm and everything went according to plan.  We backed out, picked up both stern lines and cleared both pilings….  YEAH…  An ‘Admirable Launch’.

Next Time - Our Time in White House Bay.

The Admiral and Gilligan

Sv Bergy Bit

This year along with dinghy games we also tried ‘Awning Sailing’….

Awning Sailing requires the following

        1 Small Sailboat on Anchor with its Awning Up

        2 People on board the Small Sailboar

         Wind blowing at 15 - 20 knots &  gusting to over 25 knots

Here is how Awning Sailing works….

The people on board the sailboat get comfortable, read, relax and enjoy the afternoon - despite the rocking and rolling caused by the wind.

The wind blows all day and in late afternoon just for fun - gusts to over 25 knots, causing the sailboat to drag anchor…….

The Admiral notices the boat is dragging and the Crew jumps into action. 

The Motor is started, First Mate at the tiller.  First Mate closely follows the Admiral’s directions as the anchor is pulled up.

Anchor up - all is well, well sort of. 

Now comes the task of re-anchoring.  Discussion ensues about where to re-anchor and the decision is made.  Instead of re-anchoring we will pick up a private mooring ball we have permission to use.  Decision is also made to leave the Awning Up…..

Admiral takes the helm motoring over to the mooring ball.

 First Mate tries to hold the Awning in place.  Doesn’t work -  the Awning supports come undone.  We are now motoring and sailing with the Awning - interesting…..

First Mate goes forward to drop halyard (rope) that holds the Awning up …  No problem halyard is undone quickly….  OH OH…. Big problem….. Awning drops directly on Admiral…. 

Admiral can’t see where he is going - this is part of the game - it adds suspense to the outcome….. 

Confusion ensues, wind picks up, Awning supports start dropping out of the Awning…… First Mate undoes the Awning from the Dodger.  Wind picks up the Awning again thrusting it straight back into the Admiral…. This time we are sailing with the Awning in full sail……  and the Admiral impaled behind it…… Awning must come down……

Admiral abandons tiller to undo the Awning at the back….  More confusion….  More support bits drop out of the Awning…. 

Awning is gathered up and tossed with gay abandon into the companion way, along with any support bits that haven’t gone overboard……

Admiral checks bearings….  We are actually in good position and continue towards the mooring ball…. 

Admiral gives tiller to First Mate, who has only one thought - Cooper Island BVI 2007 where it took 3 tries and the Admiral in the dinghy (twice) to pick up the mooring ball…. (not the First Mates first choice)……..

Wind is still gusting….  Admiral has boat hook in hand.  First Mate is following Admiral’s signals as we approach mooring ball…  Spectators aboard other boats watch the game….

First Mate approaches mooring ball, Admiral picks it up, First mate goes forward to help…   All looks good….  Line is attached…  DONE……   WE WIN…….

We settle the boat out, put the awning back up and watch a lovely Lagoon sunset with VERY LITTLE wind…….

Ah the fun we have in Simpson Bay Lagoon………..Wonderful Wonderful  Memories…………..

Dinghy Games……

Every year we discover at least one new ‘boat related’ game

 We started this year off with ‘Dinghy Kites’ and then moved on to ‘Dinghy Target Practise’

To our dismay we played this game on three occasions.  The first time, just after our first dinghy launch.  The second and third times minutes apart after the second dinghy launch.

This is how Dinghy Target Practise is played.

You need one small dinghy with a 2.5HP motor - two people on board and one large hard bottomed inflatable dinghy with at least a 75HP motor - these dinghies generally belong to the Mega Yachts - with one to 5 people on board.

This is how the game is played: as the little dinghy is making its way across the Lagoon the Large dinghy gets the Little Dinghy in its sights and heads straight for it trying to swamp it. The occupants of the little dinghy try to make themselves visible by yelling and waving their arms trying not to fall out of the dinghy…..  The Large dinghy at the last moment changes course (almost swamping the little dinghy) this is after the lady on board The Large dinghy screams in horror at the realization they may run over us. 

 Another way to play the game involves two Large Dinghy’s. The first Large Dinghy approaches the little dinghy from the Starboard side, the occupants of the Little Dinghy make the universal sign for the Large Dinghy to please slow down so that they don’t get swamped.  The Large Dinghy ignores the signs and passes by at full speed -less than 15 feet away- yelling for the Little Dinghy to go faster….  The Little Dinghy avoids getting swamped just in time for a second Large Dinghy to approach it from the Port side.  Again the occupants of the Little Dinghy wave furiously, yell, signal to please slow down - these Large dinghy occupants are very friendly they wave back and pass by at full speed about 20 feet away giving a ‘Thumbs Up’.  Once again The Little Dinghy avoids being swamped and The Admiral replies with a universal signal and it wasn’t Thumb’s up…  

I have to say after the 3^rd close call - I actually looked over the side of the Dinghy to see if we did have a ‘Bulls Eye’ painted on the side.

Reminded us once again why we don’t venture out in our dinghy at night - we wouldn’t have a chance against the big guys…..

Final score  Little Dinghy 3 - Large Dinghies - None………….

Stayed tuned for our experience with Awning Sailing

Hello and greetings once again from Sint Maarten!

The wind is still blowing but today it is only about 16 - 18 knots!  A mere breeze compared to the winds for the Heineken Regatta (Mar 6 - 8, 2009)

  http://www.flickr.com/photos/sxmliving/sets/72157614919005552/                                                                                                                     Photo courtesy - Flickr -

It was really wild ride for the competitors in the Heineken Regatta!  There were sustained winds of 30 to 35 knots which caused organisers to change the course.  For those sailors out there take a look at this You Tube Video - even if you are not a sailor it is worth a look! !  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQKucPLPGd4

What they didn’t state in the press release was that the seas (swells/waves) were 10 feet plus. Keep in mind the boats you see on the video are 50 - 60 feet  - just imagine being out in those conditions in a 32 foot sailboat - No thanks! !

Unfortunately over the weekend the conditions only got worse and on Saturday a Yellow Alert was issued for the island as the winds were over 35 knots and the seas between 12 - 15feet.  In Hurricane language the first warning they give is  yellow, the next orange and the next red - which means hurricane.  If the winds and seas hadn’t calmed down by Sunday the alert would have been upgraded to Orange.  Mind you they didn’t cancel any of the races - just changed the courses.  We were glad we were still on the ‘hard’ in the boat yard.  

On Saturday we took a bus into Philipsburg (the capital of Sint Maarten) and  had lunch at The Harbourview Cafe on the Boardwalk. Always great food there.  It was also a great vantage point to watch the second leg of the Heineken Regatta races. 

Photo by dmw2

The winds were so strong that in the beginning that boats were sailing only with their Mainsail up!  Even at that they were moving and heeled over 10 to 15 degrees.  Now keep in mind - the idea of a sailboat is to catch the wind in as much sail as possible - this is how you power the boat.  That morning the winds were so strong that it only took a little bit of sail- the mainsail to get the boats powered up and moving! !

This years Regatta had 237 entries on the first day and by the last day the number of competitors was  under 200.  There were boats de-masted, there were collisons, injuries, one boat sunk and some wild sailing.  The  local paper reporter the most serious injury was ‘mashed ribs’ when a sailor got caught between two colliding sailboats! !

We have seen some of the casualty boats over the past week or so as they have been pulled out of the water for ’surveying’ and or repair! 

It is a Heineken Regatta that will go down in history! !