To the BVI's

[jimmy alonso]

Left Yesterday From Cabo Rojo, PR still a long way to go. Stopped at La Parguera 8 NM from Cabo Rojo. It is real windy 18 to 22 mph on the nose and waves are 3 to 5 feet or more so best to wait a day forecast is better for tomorrow. But there is lots of anchorages on the south coast of PR so if it gets to bad you have places to hide and wait.
Everything onboard is working fine. At least its sunny and Solar is putting out lots of amps battery was 100% at 11:30 AM running Engel fridge at setting #2.


Cayo Enrique

[RGF]

You lucky devil you! Have a fun, safe trip. I'll be following your tracks..

[Tomfoolery]

But there is lots of anchorages on the south coast of PR so if it gets to bad you have places to hide and wait.

A few docks there, too. Like in Arroyo. 17°57'45.2"N 66°03'55.4"W

OK, that's the dock where the Wanderer made its first appearance in Captain Ron. But it looks like well protected water in there for anchoring, too.

PR is on my bucket list, by the way, including (and especially) Old San Juan.

Oh, and that 'real time' site is pretty cool. I now have something else to check in on when I fire this work machine up every morning.

[Gazmn]

Hey Jimmy,

Once again you are an inspiration! We are all rooting for you. We're following your travels & with you in spirit.

GodSpeed Brudda

[jimmy alonso]

After Motoring into the wind and waves for 150 Nautical Miles we are on a mooring buoy at St John, Majo Bay since Friday. Waves were 3 to five feet sometimes more sometimes less, the small wave can be worse. Forgot to put the ballast plug in on one leg of the trip and had to dry up about a half bucket of sea water out of the boat. Also Autopilot tiller mount had to be improved at Vieques good thing I carry a drill and dremel among bunch of other stuff. The Raymarine eS78 with engine data reported 1.6 gallons per hour at 6 Knots and engine temp 126 degrees.
Plan to sail to Jost Van Dyke tomorrow and check in the BVI.

Jost Van Dyke BVI


Now back to the beach!!!!! Majo Bay USVI

[jimmy alonso]

Been back almost 2 weeks so some videos and some stats:

Nautical Miles 460
Sailed 161
Motor Sailed 40
Motored 259

Total Gallons 68

Days at Sea 23

Engine Hours 71

Refueled 3 times
1. Salinas PR
2. Saint Thomas
3.Marina Cay Tortola

Heading East at 6kts used 1.6 gallons per hour Heading west .8 to 1 gallon per hour.
Ran engine 3 +- hours while sailing to keep battery happy on a cloudy day
Top sailing speed 7kts with help from a large wave but averaged 5.1 knots on one of the longer sails.
Bent two rudder brackets, lost two wrenches and a pair reading glasses (well I know where they are..... 25 feet under water)
Wood fell of trailer need to touch up gel coat/ check trailer rusty areas.
Airhead is still composting.
On Autopilot 90% of the time.
Caught zero fish.
Made a list of Mods for next trip already.

Here is what its like to be motoring in the Caribbean Sea. Wasn't too bad going to Saint Thomas, Vieques and Culebra are to port. Video
https://app.box.com/s/h0m9zgz40jesd2afraid4mauywjx175d

Nice sail. Saint John to Jost Van Dyke 5NM
https://app.box.com/s/uxhh77z6d6ebvmnnepeabe6ji8z6w967

[mdbrown]

Made a list of Mods for next trip already.

Sounds like a true sailor. Congrats on a great trip!

[sail4fun]

Sounds like a lot of fun! Nice blue skies with white clouds.

[kadet]

Thanks for the post. Looked like a fun time.

[jimmy alonso]

Yes a good time very relaxing too. No news, phone or work.

The island of Jost Van Dyke.


Actually we just checked in then left for Marina Cay 11 nautical miles away.
The plan was to get to Anegada since we didn't make it the last three years.

Marina Cay

[jimmy alonso]

Drone view of boats at Marina Cay
https://app.box.com/s/mfjhggonx3or2lfa1oi9xg5hl4ukwk86
Next day sailed to Anegada about 17 Nautical Miles North of Marina Cay. Anegada is a low lying island of coral formation not volcanic like all other caribbean islands. Grabbed the last mooring available started to rain shortly after then at 2 AM thunder and lightning so decided to stay the next day.

North Shore Anegada

Lobster dinner at Whistling Pines Restaurant

[Ixneigh]

Thats some pretty deep water for a light centerboarder.
What's your opinion now of the boat?

Ix

[jimmy alonso]

Thats some pretty deep water for a light centerboarder.
What's your opinion now of the boat?

Ix

Still Glad I got her , she handles the deep blue fairly well but gets pushed by the waves somewhat. I am guilty of not reefing the main sail not soon enough.
Most legs are along the coast and on these trips I leave plenty of time open if I should have to wait for weather (3 to 5 feet I'll probably go 5 or more, wait) also April and May are before tropical waves come by and after the cold fronts from the north generate large seas.
Once in the BVI's all islands are pretty close not like the Bahamas. I think I would really like to do that.
With lots more time I'd like to make the jump to St Martin 80 Nautical Miles from the BVI's.

The water color of Norman Island


Leaving Norman. Sailing past the Indians to Soper Hole west end of Tortola Distance. 7NM


Soper Hole

[jimmy alonso]

(replaced photos with One drive on previous posts)

Checked out of the BVI's and sailed back the next day to Majo Bay St John.

There was a good number of turtles hanging out. Camera not so good

After a couple days at Majo Bay set sail for Culebra PR. Wind was too weak to sail so took the main down and motor sailed with the jib. Passing by Sail Rock.

[jimmy alonso]

After Culebra sailed to Patillas about 50 NM arrived at night; 9pm almost. Tired and hungry after about 11 hours. The next day sailed off to Salinas about 18 NM made it there at lunch time so dropped anchor and made lunch. The wind picked up to about 20+mph so double reefed the main and sailed away. We were moving along great at 5 to 5.6 Knots. Heading towards Guanica 35 NM away. After 25 NM a rudder bolt broke and the bracket bent open. But we continued sailing with just one rudder. Until the bolt broke one the remaining rudder at night with only 5NM left to go. So started the engine and took the sail down in the dark with 4 to 5 foot waves, then headed for the anchorage. Next morning was able to bend rudder brackets and put rudders back on. Then motored the rest of the way 20NM to Combate.


Cleaning up.......Until next time..