Oh-my-godda passage
We arrived in BVI to have a trip with friends and to move the boat to Saint Martin. This leg is called the “Anegada passage” and it is the longest distance between Islands in the Caribbean. It’s an 80 mile run which isn’t that long but at 8 miles an hour it’s a haul going directly into the wind and waves. Most of the Atlantic ship traffic comes through here on the way to the Panama Canal so you have to keep a good watch. The conventional wisdom is to position your yacht in Virgin Gorda and wait for the wind to be less than 15 knots. We sat at Virgin Gorda and waited. It was blowing 22 knots and the waves were 8 feet. Although there is plenty to do in Gorda Sound we were on a mission and we were done with the BVI – so we waited.
Regatta you Betcha
We were lucky enough to be “stuck” in Gorda Sound smack dab In the middle of the Costa Smeralda superyacht regatta. This is the mack daddy sailing yacht race with many of the world’s largest sailing yachts in a handicapped three day race and party at the CS Yacht Club and we were there. We joined the party and followed the boats and crews and had a fantastic time. After 4 days of waiting it became obvious the wind was not going to cooperate and we had to get back to work! We had planned all our sailing trips for the season and unfortunately we weren’t going to be at any of the major island Regattas so this was great to stumble onto.
And stumble again
Sitting back in Florida we watched the weather every day waiting for the conditions needed to cross the Anegada Passage. We found a good weather window with the advice of Chris Parker and hopped a jet the next day. We landed in BVI and the Spring Regatta was starting that day. What a blast. Parties and lots of race events. We were only there for 24 hours since we had to head to Saint Martin the next day but it was great to see.
Government Intelligence
After getting our gun back from the police station we headed to customs and immigration. We had to clear out from the territory and get our paperwork to check into Saint Martin. Each country requires you to have this document so that when you arrive they know where you have been and how long you were at sea. For instance if we left BVI on the 20th bound for Saint Martin and we arrived Saint Martin on the 30th they most certainly would come to the boat looking for Cuban refugees. In our case we don’t human traffic so we are usually OK. So now upon checking out and doing the formalities with 2 uniformed officers we are handed a bill for .75 cents…What? Yep that’s right. I am crafting a letter to the BVI government to explain the value of cruising their waters and the cost doesn’t equal the fee. Maybe they raise the price and lengthen the airport with the extra dough so we can fly direct from Miami!
Much ado about yachting
So now it’s Sunday at 4 am and we up anchor and head out the cut. We have 10 hours of blissful motoring listening to music, listening to books, wrestling, and all the other things you do to pass the time. When we got to Grand Case on the French side is was before sundown. Lennie knew that Calmos Café has a sunset Reggae party and we were anchored right in front of it. So after the long passage we showered and primped and headed to the Beach Club. We sat and watched the sunset and started talking to a few couples from Rhode Island sitting next to us. They asked what we did that day and where we were staying. I guess we didn’t “look” like weary sailors who spent the day at sea and just arrived. Of course they were jaw dropped when we told them what we had done that day. People marvel at those of us that travel by boat. They think it’s adventurous and romantic. And they are 100% right.
What Broke
Nothing, Nada, Zip. I think the shakedown and tuning phase is over. We don’t even have any upgrade ideas right now. Well maybe…some additional solar. More on that later….
This trip required two video episodes. See the links below:
Capt. Rob Casden
Hi Randy and Lennie,
Loved #11 and 12 and the extraneous sounds and louder music did not blow our Bose speakers for the first time!!
We’re getting 8 x 125 w flexible solar panels for a Lagoon 560 we’re gonna make an offer on. It is in Port De Pleasance {you are at IGY?} and we plan on moving there from San Luis Obispo CA in a few months after our estate sells. {take a look at our professional website} Awaiting word on the manufacturer and controller for the panels from Lagoon America. They go on the coach roof, 4 per side.
What night scope & model do you like? Raymarine vs Flir? Do you like your washer/dryer? The Miele sucks. We’re gonna change it for an LG. How did you get the red lights for your cockpit at night? It beats keeping one eye closed when the lights are on!
Keep in touch! You and I will have the nicest sailing yachts on U-Tube.
happytogether
HI Rob,
I will check out your site. We will check out the boat also. Whats the name. We will be around for a few days in Simpson bay next week. We can check it out for you. Get as much solar as you can. I am adding a bunch more. I have learned its the best way to make power. Don’t be afraid of the looks because no one will see it on your monster boat ! We have the new Splendide W/D and it works great. The night vision is the flir I think its a colt or 1750. Its the cheapest one. We tried them both but we didn’t feel we needed it based on how much we use it. Just Cats in Fort Lauderdale did the red lights. Very helpful for us. New videos from 2 St Barts trips coming in 10 days. Look for them. Talk soon. Randy & Lennie
Dan and Lauren Draper
Randy and Lennie, Such an exciting time. We are also taking delivery of our Leopard 45. My flight tomorrow morning from Atl to Grenada the 14th. It made its 45-day trip crossing from South Africa and I finally get to step aboard. I will bring the boat up to the BVI for tonnage Serv and registration. Would love to connect with you sometime. I have not seen all your post but curious of your plans for storm season and if you plan to take the boat out of the box. I plan to take our in July down to Grenada. Lauren and I hope to live on the Leopard 6 months out of the year once our last child graduates high school next year. Until then we plan to be on it as time permits.
happytogether
Hi Dan and Lauren. Your our kind of people!! Not retired yet! We get jealous of all the people we meet that don’t have to go home. We are headed to Saint Martin tonight and pulling the boat and painting the bottom this week after four days of cruising around the island. We have insurance that works during Hurricane Season but we also don’t want to lose the boat so we are heading south in July. We will be in Grenada in August and will catch up with you. Send Pictures, ask questions and stay in touch. Thanks for watching. Randy & Lennie
Dan and Lauren Draper
Guys,
Just saw your reply, we have been busy. Pulled the boat out in St Lucia the end of May to paint bottom change stripe color and buff it out to look pretty…. I had to bring the boat up to the BVI to have a new Northernlight Gen put in it last week and going back down on June 29th to hang out the first week of July with other friends chartering a 56 Lagoon and then heading down with our three kids to Grenada hoping to play along the way as long as weather treats us right and flying out of Grenada on the 16th of July. I am going to keep the boat in the Grenada yacht club through Nov 15th and try to bring it back up to the BVi. We are hoping to get back down to Grenada for a week in Sept also to explore both Grenada and the Grenadines. All in all we are very excited and learning as we go.
Respond to my email and I will send you pictures of our boat MOJO
Dan and Lauren Draper
Randy,
Watched your latest vids of St Martin. I have some questions for you that we are working through. Some I can ask on the blog and a couple I can’t so hoping you will give me a call. Is that an ice maker under the steps in your aft cockpit? We are in the middle of trying to figure out the best placement and I think I saw Lennie opening it. Also want to ask about your reefing block although I think there was enough on the vid to understand it. A much-needed addition on our boat by the way. Also the Smart start, great idea but want to know where and what to buy. The night sail was great. The first week of June we did a 43-hour open water nonstop from St Lucia to the BVI, man that got long after 30 hours and the second night was flat out boring. If you get a min to chat I would greatly appreciate it. 404-202-0097
Cheers,
Dan and Lauren
happytogether
HI Dan, I sent you an email. I will call you today. Randy
David
Randy,
Absolutely love your video blog.
Question for you mentioned on the trip between BVI and St. Martin you were going to try some fishing.
Did you catch anything?
Have you had any luck fishing any other times on this trip?
Thanks.
happytogether
Hi David, Thanks for watching! We have only fished once and no it was a bust. I am excited for my first hookup. Next week we are doing big trip and heading for St Lucia with plenty of offshore cruising so we hope to get our first Mahi! Randy