15. Dutch Courage

I had my first charter yesterday. I took Chris, a German guy who lives here, for a sail in Sonic Boom. We sailed all the way around St Martin in about 7 hours. A great day’s sailing, nice wind, fairly calm sea, and I got 150 dollars. He’s thinking of buying a boat, but had only sailed Lasers, so wanted to get a feel for a boat my size. He’s thinking of another trip to St. Bart’s, which would be good. I suggested Martinique and take 5 days, stopping at Statia, Nevis and Guadalupe.

Simpson Bay Lagoon looking toward Cupecoy

We motored into and out of the lagoon and my engine was fine, having pumped out the oil with a hand pump, filled up with new oil, and changed the oil filter, for the second time. I noticed though we were going slower than we should have been. Today I checked my propeller and it was covered in barnacles so I dove down and cleaned it. After I stopped Dane’s on my way to have a hot shower, and cleaned his too. He offered me money but I will ask him to put it towards the cushion covers he’s making me.

On the way back I noticed a shroud had come free from the spreader, so we sailed the last part jib only, and came back into the lagoon through Dutch bridge and then through the causeway bridge. The other day Amanda went up the mast in the boson’s chair, to free a tangled line. I’m thinking maybe that dislodged or loosened a shroud fastening. It should be an easy fix.

I put my fridge up for sail on the cruisers’ net, run by Shrimpy’s every morning on the radio. I got one call, but sold it today to Jock for 100 dollars. I’m glad to be rid of it. It was way too big for this boat. I’ll get something smaller, that my wind generator can power. I’ll use the money to fix my wind generator, which was making so much noise, something was definitely wrong with it.

I think St Martin could be a good place to buy a cheap boat and do it up. If you’re careful and know about boats, there are some really nice little sailboats for sale; classics, that the owners just can’t look after any more. There’s one in Bobby’s Marina at the moment. It had been left in the lagoon, was covered in dirt and looked horrible. Someone bought it for next to nothing and hauled it out. It sat in the boatyard for a while, until the new owner Matt bought it for 3000 dollars, painted the bottom, and the hull a nice pale teal, redid the inside completely, really cool, and now it looks amazing.

14. Rihanna

the Dutch side bridge open

My friends Sabrina and Tom arrived from the BVI on their yacht Honey Ryder. I met them to watch the fireworks for the opening of the new causeway that goes across the lagoon. It was a fun night. Sabrina writes a great blog:

http://wildcatsailorgirl.blogspot.com

Steve Jobbs’ boat is also in the lagoon.

M/Y Venus

I’ve moved off the dock and onto a 5 Star Yachts mooring ball, while they have one free and I still work there. My engine is fixed. I took the injectors to Global Marine Engine Servicing, who were awesome, but told me they were fine. They suggested the problem was my fuel pump. I took it off, the gasket had worn away, so Andy gave me some material and I made a new one. Just happy it was a cheap fix.

Sonic Boom’s hull is cleaned and polished, there’s not much paint left. The teak is sanded and filled, just waiting to be sealed, bleached and varnished. There’s not much teak left either… Inside has new cushions and lights, and it’s a much comfier place for lounging in the evening. The new stereo sounds good. My soundtrack had been The Skatalites ‘Treasure Isle Time’, Little Roy ‘Battle for Seattle’ and Rihanna ‘Unapologetic’, but I fixed my FM aerial, so now I’m listening to the local radio stations. Reggae versions of Hotel California, and steel drum band covers of Lionel Richie songs on Tradewinds FM.

I’m still going to the beach at Simpson Bay everyday, for swims in the morning and after work. Jock, the pirate, took me to a cheap local bar run by Chinese that does good egg and chips. FA Cup football was on the TV. Not very Chinese, or Caribbean, but only 5 bucks with a beer.

Simpson Bay Royal Palm Beach Hotel

I’ll stay in St. Martin a while. I’d like to get more done to my boat and here is a good place to do that. Also I’ll keep working for 5 Star Yachting and try and save up a little cash and pay off some of my credit card. My friends Lisa and Mark are due to arrive on Tara at the end of the month, so I’ll wait so I can see them. Soon after I’ll head to Antigua I think. I met some people here and it seems there’s work there. I’ll probably go via St. Bart’s. Also I’d like to keep up with Honey Ryder. They’re headed all the way to Trinidad.

Antigua