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Location: 17° 00N, 61° 46W
Saturday 04.12.08
At about sunset yesterday, April 11th, the Maggie B docked at Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua. We are at 17° 00N, 61° 46W. This is probably one of the most famous marinas on the planet. It is so cool to know that we are treading on the very stones that the Hero of Trafalgar trod. The area has been marvelously restored.
All around us are the most lovely sailboats in the world, all varnished to perfection. We are definitely not entering the Concours d’Elegance. But we are doing our best to look OK after 34,000 NM. Writers from “Ocean Navigator” “Wooden Boat” and “Boat International” have asked for interviews and to sail with us in one of the races.
It is hard not to get racing fever. We are now handicapped by having a fixed propeller, which probably will take 1/4 knot off our speed. I even imagined the possibility that we could get a diver to take it off just before the race and then reattach it afterwards. But no.
After the difficulties putting the spare prop on in Martinique, we sailed up to Isle des Saintes, Guadalupe. It is still one of the most perfect anchorages in the world. The town is big enough to have several good restaurants, fast Internet and a grocery store and bakery, but small enough to feel very personal. The beaches are just lovely: clear water, white sand, great snorkeling, and lovely palm trees for shade. We got into Les Saintes at about midnight on the 9th, had a beach day on the 10th and then got up early on the 11th for the 60-70 NM to Antigua.
When we hoisted the main in Martinique, we spotted (hard to miss!) a two foot tear near the leech, just below the second reef point. The Captain, always on his toes, ordered two reef in the main, and we still had a great sail while I emailed North Sails, Lunenberg in a panic. Sandy MacMillan, our contact there calmed my fears and immediately got me in touch with North Sails, Antigua, who picked up the main on Saturday the 12th and promises it back, fixed, on the 16th so we can race the 17th. Great Service!!
All is well.