Darlene and I returned Ken to Trinidad in a daylight passage averaging 8 knots. Once more the wind moved onto our nose and we made it in one tack back to the Gulf of Praia. Our passage into the Boca Islands was not easy. We have a major fuel leak on our port engine and I do not like to use it till this is fixed. As we came between the islands, we fought major currents with overfalls. Eventually I fired up the port engine to make progress and headed for Scotland Bay before night fall. Right off the entrance, we picked up a drift net in the starboard engine and rudder, that shut down the engine immediately. Fighting wind and current, I battled to keep the boat off the rocks while Ken got a knife. His arm was not long enough to reach down, so I did, severing through the rope and net that was unmarked.
Peter took Darlene and I to a few Hindu temples
Under one engine we motored into the bay, with difficulty to hold steerage way when slower down. We found a space to drop anchor, and it did not grab as we drifted down onto other boats. With some nervous moments and skillful maneuvering, we were able to get the anchor to hold. I dove onto the propeller to cut away the obstructions. We up anchored and reset it where there was less risk of swinging into another vessel.
I had a few days of tasks to complete after Ken left. Water had to be brought aboard as the water maker does its job, but requires fuel when a hose ashore does not. We also brought fuel out by dingy as I had the starboard engine down due to fan belts being eaten up for some unknown reasons. Eventually I was able to get through the work list, and the day after Thanksgiving, Darlene and I cast off the mooring lines and sailed the 200 miles north to St. Lucia and Marigot Bay to meet Geoff.
The passage north was uneventful. We sailed with a full rig and at times were sailing at 11 to 12 knots with the autopilot steering. Quickly we settled into our old routines of last year’s passage making. El Gecco is a powerful craft and not for the weak of heart. She accelerates on the puffs and if not careful can quickly get one into trouble. We made the 200 mile passage in 25 hours and with an amazing level of comfort.
The Grand Pitons
The sight of the Piton’s as we drifted up the St. Lucia coast was spectacular. We were in no hurry, ghosting along at 2 knots as we lay on the nets and moved around the boat seeking shade. By lunch time we came into Marigot Bay and dropped anchor in the outer lagoon away from the hustle and bustle of the Saturday afternoon day head boats with blearing music, and the frantic waterfront restaurants competing for attention.
Geoff and Darlene after a rain squall at the Pitons.
