Fairing in Saint Martin
Tired of scratching the hull each week to remove algae, We have programmed a refit at the shipyard TOBY (Time Out) on the island of St Martin. It is at about 140 nautical miles from Guadeloupe and we pass by Montserrat and Nevis.
Saturday 25 February - Montserrat
At the first light of the day, We leave the anchorage of Deshaies North of Guadeloupe. Destination island of Montserrat which we sail along the coast to the wind and the Soufrière volcano. Its last eruption in 1997 has devastated all the South of the island which is now uninhabited. White fumaroles escape constantly from the top of the volcano. We cast anchor in the Bay of Little Bay in the North West of the island which is green and where the entire population.
Sunday 26 February - Nevis
We continue our journey to Nevis in the Bay of Charlestown. We are facing the beach lined with restaurants "out of fashion". No way to get in the water with these jet - skis that circulate in the anchorage at full speed. The night we are lulled by the pulse of the music that spit of beach bars. We had planned to spend a few days in order to visit the island by bicycle, but... the next day, We don't "feel" not and up with the line 9 time.
Monday 27 February - Saint Martin
We are more or less to the North without knowing precisely how far we can go before the sunset. We take a reef in anticipation of the wind we have once out of the best-selling St Kits. And we did well! At each joke feel the strength in the veils that pull the boat forward... without this speed! The hull is covered of algae that slow us down considerably. It's time to get the boat out of the water! Despite this the wind wrong drives us to eight knots... Tonight we will be in Saint Martin.
Here you are, a mooring which will please us... We arrive in Marigot Bay with between one hundred and two hundred ships at anchor . We find Steph and Marie (Mr Happy) with great pleasure.
J-6 before the release of Tao. We have time to browse all shipchandlers side French and Dutch bike, in order to buy the hardware and organize with the construction of small jobs to do.
Monday 6 March - site "Time Out"
9: 00 we pass the Sandy Ground bridge to get into the lagoon and go to the site. The welcome by Paola is warm with immediately a detailed explanation of the rules of the site. A little military... but the result is there with a clean and well-maintained site. Keith, who is the manager and the crane operator, gives instructions to his team to adjust the position of the straps.
Wooden blocks have crept in critical areas in order to protect the boat.
Keith is watching his cabin each step before adjourning Tao safely.
12 tons suspended at the end of the cables at the top of the water is always a "scary" moment!
That's, We are ready to become "earthlings" during 15 days, with amazing view of the construction site!
Fortunately, We are at the water's edge and front-row seat to see ships entering and leaving the lagoon through.
Philippe has listed the priority work and the next day everyone's at work!!! Maintenance of propellers, small repair of the quillon, chainplates to change etc... The days are busy. We organise a barbecue in the company of Keith, Paola and some boats. The antifouling is the last step before water! Soon the end of DIY!
Monday 20 March - Return to the water
Back on the water , We're going north of the island in the Bay of Grand Case. First bath in the clear water around the Creole rock. We find Bernard and Mireille Ysun boat, for a night on the ground in a "lolo" (local restaurant).
Tuesday 28 March - Tintamarre
The weather is stable , We take the opportunity to go on Tintamarre island, Northeast of St Martin. The place is uninhabited but very busy day by the back and forth of the shuttles and catamarans to tourists. Worms 17 H Tintamarre found calm and the singing of the straws in tails.
Thursday 30 March – Back to Marigot
The swell is starting to feel , back to big box then Marigot Bay.
The rest of the program : recover the lithium batteries in a few days, commissioned in China there are 3 month, then the Turks and Caicos, and Cuba destinations.
Hello friends,
I'm a little voyeur looking at the underside of “TAO”. Beautiful hull, Nice work and actually the basket is raised.
I share the scary moment when your boat is hung at the end of the straps ! I never liked.
As antifouling you have ?
Kisses to you both and see you soon.
Good wind ! the average will increase !