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 !