CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN GRENADA

With all the delays due to the Hydrovane installation (waiting for parts etc.) we decided that it wasn't such a bad idea to spend Christmas and New Years in Grenada. There were plenty of yachts and other cruisers present so lots to do and see. In addition we were moored right outside a wonderful restaurant run by French Canadians who were pretty damn good cooks.

Candles of course.. To get the 'ambiance'

very varied weather. But glorious anyway..

Christmas trees and lights in the Caribbean at 28 degC

Local brewery

Happy cruisers..!

REPAIRING THE RUDDER BEARING AND OTHER WORK

The play (looseness) in the rudder had weighed on my mind the whole year. Its not an easy job and in addition when you take something apart there is always the possibility that you will find other problems.
So I have included some boring photos of the rudder rework..
In addition to this we had a total failure of our battery chargers (Cristec) so had to order new ones. We also had pretty bad window leaks on the saloon side windows. The problem here is that the bonding material which glues the window panels in place deteriorates in the heat. This is a Beneteau inherent problem. We also had a new bimini and sprayhood made, and the water maker had to be repaired.

The rudder and shaft are dropped down for access to the bearing bushing

here the bushing has been cleaned and glued back in place.
Ensuring that the looseness has been eliminated.

this is the bushing that goes into the rudder tube

the bearing surface on the rudder that runs in the bushing

More work...This is the rebuilding of our water maker high pressure pump

this is the Hydrovane installation partly done. We had to wait for lost parts to be shipped in

Kwanza sitting pretty with new bimini, spray hood and new Hydrovane installed

PREPARING KWANZA FOR THE LONG CRUISE WEST

We are planning to sail West very cautiously, because although we intend to go through the Panama Canal this year we are aware that everything can change in the yacht cruising world, and already this season has started slowly with all the problems we have had with the rudder bearing rework and the installation of a Hydrovane self steering system.
So after we launched Kwanza in Clark Court boat yard we stayed on the dock for a few days then we anchored out in Woburn Bay. We were waiting for additional parts to arrive for the vane..

Woburn Bay

On a mooring just off Whisper Cove marina

A lovely little 'night heron'

Whisper Cove marina

LAUNCH December 5, 2017

Here we go again. Kwanza was first launched in April 2013, and has been put ashore four times. Nevertheless every time she gets back in the water it's a thrilling moment.! This time we will set her up to cross the Pacific to Australia..

Kwanza with new anti foul paint waiting to be launched

new bimini "will travel"..!

on the trailer

sling lift gets ready

the launch dock..

HAUL OUT AT CLARKS COURT

Monday 19th June at 08.00 hours was our scheduled haul out time. Unfortunately there was a storm on the way which made us a bit nervous. However luck was on our side and we got ashore just before the storm hit Grenada.

THE STORM IS COMING !!

Day of the haul out is calm...luckily.!

Out she comes..

Transferred to the trailer from the travel lift

Our final position on the hard standing.

ARRIVING BACK IN GRENADA

So we arrived at our destination island of Grenada. Now it was time to really prepare the boat for storage. First stop was an overnight rest in the anchorage of St George, then we sailed South to Prickly Bay, then East towards Woburn Bay. Here we rented a mooring buoy from Whisper Cove and had a lovely couple of days ashore enjoying the hosts 'Canadian French' cuisine.

beautiful Qhisper Cove marina

Woburn

view of Woburn Bay

Whisper Cove marina

TYRELL BAY, CARRIACOU ISLAND

Tyrell is a favourite bay for many cruisers. Its wide deep and calm, with quite good shore facilities and eateries

An evening view over Tyrell Bay from the pontoon of the well know Pizzeria 'Lazy Turtle'

Fairly good sailing weather

Just sailing over Kickem Jenny, the underwater volcano

AFTER ANTIGUA IT WAS TIME TO HEAD SOUTH TO SAINT LUCIA

We had a lovely time in Antigua but the clock was ticking closer to Hurricane season hibernation.
We intended to sail down all the islands with minimal stops along the way.
Antigua > Guadeloupe > Dominica > Martinique > St Lucia.

Saint Lucia, Rodney Bay was our final destination of this trip because we planned to start our storage preparation doing things like washing, packing and cleaning.

Rodney Bay Marina

Heavy rain !

SAILING EAST BACK TO ST MARTIN

The stretch of water between The Virgin Islands and St Martin is famous for being rough and difficult. The main problem is that you will always be sailing close to the wind, against the current and the waves. Nevertheless is has to be done if you want to sail back to the Leeward Islands as we did. We had to meet our daughter in Antigua so time factors prevailed.
Once in Antigua we were able to relax and breath in the ambiance of this amazing island.

Last island we stayed at in the BVIs was Anageda

This is Jolly Harbour marina. West coast of Antigua

Our usual view during 'happy hour'..

Happy shore time !

THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

The two main islands that we visited were Saint John and Saint Thomas.
Saint John is a huge Nature Park with some areas reserved for habitation whereas Saint Thomas is more commercial and rather bleak.
We particularly enjoyed our time in Saint John. Plenty of swimming, snorkelling and walking in the forested hills.