Hybrid Sailing

Yesterday was our first proper sail since splashing. Until now we have been motoring the short distances from anchorage to anchorage. Our battery banks were all topped up and the wind was around 14 knots so we had the opportunity for the perfect hybrid sail. This meant we motored out of Prickly Bay silently on the batteries, hoisted the sail, sailed round to St Georges, dropped the sails then motored to our new anchorage silently again on batteries. If we were really, really good sailors we’d weigh and drop anchor without any power but unless we have to, we won’t try that with others around.

First outing of the day was to the local fishing tackle shop – one run by local fisherman. The chap there was more than happy to help. He first took me over the road to the fish market to pick up some ballyhoo for bait. He then showed my how to rig one. We then went through the various hooks I could use and plastic squids. We went straight back to the boat to put the ballyhoo in the freezer, wrapped in sets of three in newspaper.

Next I went to Island Water World to pick up some more 5200 compound so we could fix the final stern bumper rail.

We managed to complete a few small tasks in the afternoon. We fixed hooks in the dive locker so we can now hang our BCDs and regulators. Helen fixed the stern rail while I adjusted the lazy bag and installed the second reef (twice cos I ran the line incorrectly the first time). A few other minor items that escape me.

Today the weather is glorious. The wind has died and the seas gone crystal clear. We are going to watch the cricket this afternoon which should be fun. Its an older players game and should include some famous names from England and the West Indies. This evening were having dinner with Jim as this may be our last night on the island. It will be a special goodbye as Jim was one of the first friends we made back in St Martin and once we leave here our paths will likely take a very long time to recross.