Leaving the Carribean, heading for home.
Monday 20thApril
Departed Marigot Bay, Saint Martin, at 09.15
Sunny, Wind E 15 to 20 knots
Weighed anchor under sail as the outboard engine was already stowed away under the starboard quarter berth. I sailed under jib only to the western tip of Anguilla while I secured stuff in the lockers and shelves to stop them rattling around. Chain and anchor ropes drying out before stowing under the starboard bunk. I have loaded the starboard side more as I will be on a starboard tack for some time. Sailing between 3 and 4 knots.
11.30 Rounded Anguilla and heading for Prickly Pear Cays. 3 reefs and jib, close hauled, doing 3 knots.
Sailed through the gap between the cays and avoided the coral heads which are more or less the same as I remember from nearly 40 years ago.
Prickly Pear Cays
I wonder what the local charter fleet and restaurant goers thought of this little yacht sailing through the gap and reef then disappearing over the NE horizon where there is no land for thousands of miles. Very sporty on this beat with a lot of slamming, Trying to keep speed about 3 knots. If I go faster it's too uncomfortable.
15.10 Going to connect to wi-fi to check the weather. Got to keep eyes open for fish traps, shallow for a few more miles.
20.00 Still beating but wind down a bit, maybe 12 to 14 knots. Only doing 2.5 to 3 knots, still 3 reefs and jib. Seas very confused over the Anguilla bank. Depth between 50m and 3000m very close. In a few hours I should be in deep water and hopefully seas sort themselves out. Rum and pineapple juice for sundowner but got drenched with salt spray, still tasted okay though! Still pounding even though sailing slowly. Might have a hard time sleeping tonight. Closest AIS signal is 17 miles away. Suppertime - tamale mushroom pasta.
