January 5, 2008
Katie and Ryan took the redeye from Denver to Atlanta, continuing non-stop to St. Martin. For having traveled over 13 hours, they both seemed alert and ready to start the partying. We went ashore to an all-you-can-eat ribs place, Lady C, and watched the evening parade of mega-yachts enter the lagoon.
Retiring to the boat, we hoped for an early night. The kids had other ideas and, much to our delight, played “Santa”. The new, very sophisticated wine opening set and informative wine book were perfect gifts.
January 7, 2008
Simpson Bay, St. Martin to Gustavia, St. Barts
Mileage: 23.5 miles
Time: 3 hours 28 minutes
Average SOG: 6 mph
10:54:54 AM 1.9 mi 0:30:10 4 mph 143° true N18 02.239 W63 05.913
11:25:04 AM 2.8 mi 0:30:11 6 mph 108° true N18 00.939 W63 04.897
11:55:15 AM 3.2 mi 0:30:14 6 mph 46° true N18 00.184 W63 02.488
12:25:29 PM 2.3 mi 0:30:12 5 mph 103° true N18 02.091 W63 00.379
12:55:41 PM 3.5 mi 0:30:02 7 mph 142° true N18 01.625 W62 58.300
1:25:43 PM 3.7 mi 0:30:20 7 mph 141° true N17 59.224 W62 56.359
1:56:03 PM 3.4 mi 0:30:23 7 mph 137° true N17 56.729 W62 54.247
2:26:26 PM 0.9 mi 0:17:09 3 mph 129° true N17 54.538 W62 52.135
2:43:35 PM N17 54.056 W62 51.518
After a fast trip to the grocery while Steve cleared out of St. Martin, we were off.
Quickly clearing Customs and Immigrations upon arrival, the four of us walked the streets of Gustavia. Though Katie and Ryan had only spent a short time in Dutch St. Martin, after a stroll through Gustavia to Do Brazil for cocktails, kayaking and snorkeling, they clearly preferred St. Barts. Their enthusiasm was unchanged even when the marine park police informed them they needed a “dive permit” to snorkel Petit Ilets – we suspected Katie and Ryan snorkeling on the surface compromised the local yellow “submarine” operator’s illusion of submerged fish viewing. Back aboard, Katie fantasized about moving to St. Bart’s where Ryan would become the town engineer. J
That evening, to celebrate Steve’s and my 31st wedding anniversary, the four of us dined at The Wall Restaurant. Steve and I had made, and cancelled, New Year’s Eve reservations preferring instead to share our anniversary with the kids. It was a great idea made even better with a sumptuous meal. Ryan even remarked his was the best duck he had ever eaten. Cheers!
January 9, 2008
Gustavia to Colombier, St. Barts
Mileage: 2.9 miles
Time: 39 minutes
Average SOG: 4 mph
11:12:06 AM 1.6 mi 0:15:16 6 mph 309° true N17 54.165 W62 51.564
11:27:22 AM 0.7 mi 0:15:17 3 mph 57° true N17 55.043 W62 52.722
11:42:39 AM 36 ft 0:09:19 0.0 mph 287° true N17 55.361 W62 52.211
11:51:58 AM N17 55.362 W62 52.217
Rounding the headland, we picked up a mooring ball in the marine park. Ryan did a splendid job retrieving the mooring. The perfect retrieval was somewhat tarnished by Steve’s and my hastily configured rigging for a bridle, our finagling the mooring and bridle rigging under the bowsprits, all peppered with a smattering of expletives. When we finally made the boat secure, a few deep breaths, several beers and a dip in the water brought us all back to our senses. Lessons learned: never catch a mooring from the back of the boat; always catch the mooring at the front/center of the bow; always have the bridle set-up and ready to go. Whew!
January 10, 2008
Colombier to Gustavia, St. Barts
Mileage: 2.8 miles
Time: 37 minutes
Average SOG: 5 mph
2:36:13 PM 0.7 mi 0:15:13 3 mph 193° true N17 55.355 W62 52.215
2:51:26 PM 1.2 mi 0:15:01 5 mph 121° true N17 54.804 W62 52.349
3:06:27 PM 46 ft 0:06:59 0.1 mph 229° true N17 54.273 W62 51.436
3:13:26 PM N17 54.268 W62 51.442
Back to Gustavia to attend a wine tasting at The Bacchus wine boutique. As one would expect, or at least those who know us well, this was merely another opportunity to enlarge our wine collection….and enlarge it we did with the purchase of a full case. Katie and Ryan also treated us with two additional bottles of wine.
Departing the wine tasting, we made our way through the streets of Gustavia enjoying the night air until restaurants opened at 7PM. Katie and Ryan took us for pizza at KUDETA, a very nice meal with enough leftover for tomorrow’s lunch.
January 11, 2008
Gustavia to Anse de Grande Saline, St. Barts
Mileage: 4.4 miles
Time: 55 minutes
Average SOG: 5 mph
10:59:11 AM 0.8 mi 0:15:00 3 mph 182° true N17 54.257 W62 51.446
11:14:11 AM 1.5 mi 0:15:32 6 mph 131° true N17 53.574 W62 51.477
11:29:43 AM 1.4 mi 0:15:18 5 mph 74° true N17 52.697 W62 50.410
11:45:01 AM 0.1 mi 0:08:54 0.9 mph 33° true N17 53.028 W62 49.219
11:53:55 AM N17 53.130 W62 49.151
Saline is designated a day anchorage. We intended on making a quick snorkeling trip during the day, returning to Gustavia for the night, but were pleasantly surprised to find the anchorage tenable for an over-night stay.
Having found the designated marine parks lacking in fish and healthy habitat, and suspecting they were created as a last ditch effort to curtail damage accumulated over years of poor management and coral destruction caused by anchoring, we hoped Saline would be a better environment. It was, offering the best snorkeling on the island. We hope its day anchorage status on the charts will reduce visitation and keep it pristine.
January 12, 2008
Anse de Grande Saline to Gustavia, St. Barts
Mileage: 3.8 miles
Time: 40 minutes
Average SOG: 6 mph
7:58:39 AM 1.5 mi 0:15:08 6 mph 248° true N17 53.053 W62 48.994
8:13:47 AM 1.8 mi 0:15:14 7 mph 321° true N17 52.555 W62 50.283
8:29:01 AM 0.3 mi 0:09:46 2 mph 340° true N17 53.762 W62 51.317
8:38:47 AM N17 53.976 W62 51.398
Breakfast, a stop at Tom’s market, a quick check out and we are on our way to Le Fouche for snorkeling.
January 12, 2008
Gustavia, St. Barts to Le Fouche
Mileage: 5.5 miles
Time: 1 hour 6 minutes
Average SOG: 6 mph
10:03:25 AM 1.2 mi 0:15:09 5 mph 314° true N17 53.979 W62 51.409
10:18:34 AM 1.7 mi 0:15:09 7 mph 313° true N17 54.700 W62 52.191
10:33:43 AM 1.8 mi 0:15:22 7 mph 321° true N17 55.695 W62 53.327
10:49:05 AM 0.5 mi 0:16:00 2 mph 8° true N17 56.946 W62 54.379
11:05:05 AM 25 ft 0:04:27 0.1 mph 174° true N17 57.397 W62 54.310
11:09:32 AM N17 57.393 W62 54.310
Quite clearly, our evaluation of St. Bart’s marine parks seems right on – snorkeling is mediocre. Left over pizza, brie/baguette/fruit combo and we are on our way back to St. Martin.
January 12, 2008
Le Fouche to Simpson Bay St. Martin
Mileage: 14.4 miles
Time: 2 hours 16 minutes
Average SOG: 6 mph
2:26:25 PM 3.0 mi 0:30:13 6 mph 287° true N17 57.351 W62 54.451
2:56:38 PM 3.6 mi 0:30:08 7 mph 293° true N17 58.104 W62 57.111
3:26:46 PM 3.7 mi 0:30:13 7 mph 288° true N17 59.331 W63 00.117
3:56:59 PM 3.5 mi 0:30:03 7 mph 299° true N18 00.328 W63 03.291
4:27:02 PM 0.4 mi 0:16:19 1.3 mph 58° true N18 01.783 W63 06.084
4:43:21 PM N18 01.946 W63 05.806
As we are all tired and plan to make an early night of it, we will not meet up with Benno and Marlene until tomorrow. The time has flown by. It is difficult to believe Katie and Ryan leave tomorrow.
January 13, 2008
Shrimpy’s hosted a cruiser flea market in the morning. After breakfast, we dinghied in to view what the cruiser’s had to offer, as well as meet Benno and Marlene. Six months have passed since we saw them last and it was a real treat to introduce Katie and Ryan to such good friends. Unfortunately, as we needed to get the kids to the airport, the chilled bottle of Asti Spamonte Benno and Marlene have aboard Diesel Duck must be popped some other time.
Sailing adventures aboard a PDQ Antares 44i 