Thursday, 18 February 2016

RETURN TRIP TO MARTINIQUE FOR OUR FUSELAGE AND WINDOW REPAIR, 10 FEB

We had an appointment with the Beneteau repair agency in Martinique for the 15th February 2016, so we left Prickly Bay in Grenada on the 10th February to allow some stops along the way.

THE TRIP
First leg was from Prickly Bay to Hillsborough Bay on the island of Carriacou. This was 48 nautical miles to the North. Difficult sailing because we were heading close to the wind and into the Atlantic swell.
After a peaceful stay in Hillsborough we continued North to the Island of Bequia, this was 39 NM, again into the swell and close hauled.
Then we sailed from Bequia past the Island of St Vincent to the Bay of Souffriere on St Lucia this was 58 NM and one of the hardest and roughest sails we have experienced. This was due to the "acceleration zone" North of `St Vincent. In this area the wind is accelerated by the very high mountain on the North end of St Vincent, and this also kicks up big seas.
On arriving in the Bay of Souffriere beside the famous Piton volcanic mountains we had a problem with shortage of mooring buoys (you are not allowed to anchor because its a 'park' area) so we motored up the coast of St Lucia to Rodney Bay
On the morning of the 13th February we sailed from Rodney Bay to St Annes Bay on the island of Martinique. Here we stayed overnight and motored up into the Cul de Sac on the 15th to talk to the Beneteau representative prior to our lift-out which was scheduled for the 16th February.

Hillsborough Bay

Souffriere Bay


THE LIFT OUT
With a rendezvous of 11.30 local time for the lift-out we were quite nervous. Rather a strong Easterly wind of 15 Knots would make the positioning in the lifting dock very precarious. The marina didn't answer the radio and things were looking drastic. All of a sudden the marina responded on the VHF and gave us clearance to proceed to the lift dock, as we approached the wind dropped and we glided serenely into position. The local workforce operating the lifting crane were very calm and professional. We were in good hands.!

coming into the dock

out of the water

moving to the position

amazing cranes at Carenantilles.!
In position and chocked



THE STUDIO
Once on the hard-standing area Kwanza was chocked in position ready for the repair. We organised a pressure wash and proceeded to get our valuables and clothes off the boat ready for transport to our rented studio in Le Marin area. The lady in the Carenantilles marina office offered to take us to the studio after she finished work. This was very helpful and saved us taxi costs.
By 18.00 local time we were sitting on the balcony of the studio feeling better about events, so we broke into a couple of cold beers.

This is actually St Annes village just down the coast from where we are staying.  Picture of studio to follow.....

Very happy to have a set of wheels. This is a Twingo with 3 cylinder engine in the back. Now we can drive from the studio to the boat every day to monitor the repairs.



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