1/2/2008 Antigua to St. Barts

January 2, 2008

Jolly Harbor, Antigua to Anse du Grande Galet, St. Barts

 

Mileage:  85.3 miles

Time:  10 hours 4 minutes

Average SOG:  8 mph

 

3:06:19 AM                            6.9 mi 1:00:06           7 mph 304° true        N17 04.564 W61 54.172

4:06:25 AM                            8.8 mi 1:00:11           9 mph 315° true        N17 07.889 W61 59.371

5:06:36 AM                            8.3 mi 1:00:14           8 mph 314° true        N17 13.226 W62 05.039

6:06:50 AM                            9.1 mi 1:01:34           9 mph 313° true        N17 18.282 W62 10.459

7:08:24 AM                            9.5 mi 1:00:11           9 mph 314° true        N17 23.658 W62 16.531

8:08:35 AM                            9.7 mi 1:00:14           10 mph 314° true      N17 29.361 W62 22.792

9:08:49 AM                            8.7 mi 1:00:01           9 mph 315° true        N17 35.247 W62 29.095

10:08:50 AM                          9.1 mi 1:00:48           9 mph 313° true        N17 40.617 W62 34.695

11:09:38 AM                          8.6 mi 1:00:16           9 mph 309° true        N17 46.017 W62 40.694

12:09:54 PM                          5.6 mi 1:00:18           6 mph 304° true        N17 50.756 W62 46.774

1:11:10 PM                                                                                                    N17 53.466 W62 50.970

 

Today’s forecast was right on, winds 080@18-23.   A beam-reach all the way to St. Barts provided a delight sail  J   even though the waves hit us broadside.  

 

Approaching St. Barts, we thought there were at least two cruise ships on anchor outside Gustavia.  Partially correct, the anchorage played host to a bevy of mega-yachts.   After seeing so many in Antigua, we were amazed there were so many here, too.  How can there be that many wealthy people in the world?  WOW!   Due to the large number of mega-yachts anchorred of Gustavia, we drooped the hook at Anse du Grande Galet.  Intending to depart tomorrow around 9 AM, we decided to not clear in and left the quarantine flag aloft.

 

As is so often the case while cruising, friends (or in this case the boat of a friend) surprises by coming into a harbor where we are already at anchor.  Today, TRIPLE DOG DARE dropped the hook next to us.  Friends Mary Ann and Rick Smail own this Leopard 45 currently available for charter through Horizon charters.  We have not seen Rick or Mary Ann since the Mooring’s sponsored Owner’s Rendezvous to the Spanish Virgin Islands when we both owned boats in charter with The Moorings.   Seeing their boat, however, reminds us of friends we made while owning the first SEAMAN’S ELIXIR and helps us reminisce about good times shared aboard. 

 

The rolling anchorage and unpredictable swing of the boats encouraged the charterers to weigh anchor for a calmer berth for the night.  Perhaps we will see TRIPLE DOG DARE again at another anchorage.