Tuesday, February 3, 2009
We intended to leave St. Pierre early on Tuesday morning for Dominica, but fell afoul of the improved computerised Martinique customs systems. For the convenience of yachties, the customs entries may be made on computers set in strategic, though unadvertised, spots dotted around the island. Obvious places like yacht chandleries, waterside fuel stations, or, in St. Pierre, a very cool little cafe. The rub is that the local computer sometimes doesn't work, or, as in St. Pierre, the cafe is closed on Mondays.
Tuesday morning at 9:15, A and I headed in to clear customs at the cafe. All went well and we were ready to up anchor at 10:30. I put in a good reef as we set up the sails, anticipating a strong breeze in the Martinique channel. Out we went, making for the end of Martinique, clear of the wind shadow of Mt. Pelee. After an hour of motor sailing and not much wind, I shook out the reefs, thinking there would not be much wind after all. Applying Murphie's Law, one can anticipate the fact that the wind commenced to blow a steady 22-25 knots within 15 minutes.
We reefed in again and managed a comfortable set while maintaining a very respectable speed of 6-7 knots.
The wind was fair and we reached straight for Scott's Head at the southern tip of Dominica. Being on a reach, we had a good deal more spray into the cockpit than I am used to. A took some pretty good pics of the sea. It is hard to get a good perspective on the waves, but A has managed to catch some big seas looming.
We pulled into Roseau late in the afternoon and picked up one of Sea Cat's moorings south of town. A HotHotHotSpot internet service and one of the best tour guides on the island, this is the place to be.
Tuesday morning at 9:15, A and I headed in to clear customs at the cafe. All went well and we were ready to up anchor at 10:30. I put in a good reef as we set up the sails, anticipating a strong breeze in the Martinique channel. Out we went, making for the end of Martinique, clear of the wind shadow of Mt. Pelee. After an hour of motor sailing and not much wind, I shook out the reefs, thinking there would not be much wind after all. Applying Murphie's Law, one can anticipate the fact that the wind commenced to blow a steady 22-25 knots within 15 minutes.
We reefed in again and managed a comfortable set while maintaining a very respectable speed of 6-7 knots.
The wind was fair and we reached straight for Scott's Head at the southern tip of Dominica. Being on a reach, we had a good deal more spray into the cockpit than I am used to. A took some pretty good pics of the sea. It is hard to get a good perspective on the waves, but A has managed to catch some big seas looming.
We pulled into Roseau late in the afternoon and picked up one of Sea Cat's moorings south of town. A HotHotHotSpot internet service and one of the best tour guides on the island, this is the place to be.
No comments:
Post a Comment