East to Antigua

March 30-April 11, 2015

We clear out and depart the BVI for Antigua. A few lumps and bumps but generally a good crossing considering the relentless trades. Funny how after a while you become accustomed to the bigger seas. Where we used to wait for 10-15 kts and 2-3' seas hoping to see nothing over 4-5' we now move on 15-20 kts and 4-6' hoping to see nothing over 5-7'. It's a good thing we got over that otherwise we would still be in Puerto Rico. Depending on the direction and period between the waves we often find ourselves saying “this isn't too bad, at least we can still move about the boat”. 

 Unfortunately, on the way over I killed the water maker. It was starting to act up but when I accidentally left a valve in the wrong position while tinkering in the lazaret it overheated and ruined the membrane. Good advice from John on Seamantha to tie wrap the valve in the correct position.

We arrive in Falmouth Harbour Antigua where we meet up with Bill & Ann, “Ann Louise”, Richard & Lavinia on “Partners” and Dave & Trudy on “Persephone”. There's a lot to do here and a good base from which to explore Antigua. The locals are very friendly, there is good hiking and again good restaurants, bars, shopping and provisioning.

We spend a few days on a mooring behind the reef near Green Island. Wow, only the reef protecting us from thousands of miles of open ocean. It blows 15-20 gusting 25 and there is just a light chop in the anchorage and what a view! Now back in Falmouth, getting ready for the next move. Once again we call Chris Parker to confirm that Monday or Tuesday make sense. The weather is forecast to be a pretty steady 17-18 gusting 20-22 kts, seas 4-6 feet with higher wind and seas near the island headlands and lower wind and seas in the lee of Guadaloupe and Dominica. We will prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Planning for Monday 13^th departure, arriving in Martinique Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's “squally” activity resulting from a tropical wave to the south of us.

The wind is blowing 15-20kts G25, behind the reef we are almost flat calm!