These overnighters are killing us. It’s hard to figure out if you left yesterday or the day
before. And getting a few hours
sleep is magnificent when you can.
The trade winds lie down at night and make it possible to
move east – mostly motor-sailing.
We wait until the winds die down or until we think they are going to die
down, and then set out. Sometimes
we get it wrong and get a washing-machine ride.
We left early from Luperon to Sosua – getting in around
noon. Sosua is a cool little tourist
town – settled during and after WW II by German Jews trying to escape from
persecution in Europe. The little
bay was beautiful with crystal clear water and amazing tourist hotels. We napped and ate and then hoisted
anchor at 6 PM. We struggled around
the first cape – and over the night learned that we were going to struggle
around every cape. The winds pile
up the seas and it is very bumpy going.
We had the opportunity to have the bottom cleaned when we
left Luperon but Glen cheaped out and decided that not much could have
accumulated in the 2 weeks we were there.
WRONG!!! We burned 3 times
as much fuel as usual and were the last in the pack getting into el Vallee
(Escondido). Glen dove on the propellor and found it totally encrusted with
barnacles. He cleaned the prop but
the entire bottom was covered with the same growth. We had to drop out of the convoy to head into Samana instead
of heading on to Punta Cana.
Five miles out of Samana the engine overheated and we had to
shut it off. Glen checked that the
barnacles hadn’t clogged the water strainer, he checked that the heat exchanger
(radiator) had fluids and he checked that the impellor was intact. He didn’t check that the fan belt was
broken – which it was. Genius Glen
found that we could run the engine at low revs and the temperature stayed in
the normal range. Then – aha! –
the alternator isn’t putting out any voltage. So GG headed back into the engine room, determined the
problem and we were soon back underway to Samana with a new belt.
We arrived in Samana at 9 AM, cleared in, arranged for fuel,
arranged to have the bottom cleaned, took a motorconcho to the local market for
oranges and lemons, found a bottle of Glen Kinchie for only $30, got back on
the boat and we were underway for Punta Cana by 4 PM. Samana looks like a cool little town, a place that needs
more exploring some day. It is a
quaint little fishing town that has been discovered by cruise ships so there
are perfume, jewelry, gift shops along with the other hustles you see in cruise
ship towns. Samana Bay is a
humpback whale mating/birthing ground like Maui and so the place is covered
with whale watching experiences.
We saw lots of spouts as we travelled in and out of the bay. Neat place!
Another overnight sail to Punta Cana and here we are. We arrived at about 6 AM and had to
heave-to in the swell in front of the marina, waiting for it to open. This is a magnificent place. To paraphrase Groucho Marx, I wouldn’t
go to a place that would in the likes of me. But here we are, AC blowing full on, dining out at the
restaurant. Living the grand life
– for one night. Then it is back
to the grind – we leave in the morning at around 10 AM in light airs to transit
to Puerto Rico. This is an 18 hour
run to clear into PR at Ponce (Pon say).
Pam & Glen,
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you! We are enjoying following your blog (now that we found it)!
How long will you be out and how far are you going? We plan to be in St. Martin by mid-march.
If you want any more details on our USVI and BVI experiences let us know.
Enjoy Vieques... it's quiet there. We also loved Almodovar Bay on Culebra, I'd go back there in a heartbeat.
Linda
Sosua is where Donna and the family volunteered and worked for Habitat Humanity and Samana is where we docked during our last trip. They had a nice farewell for Dorothy at the United Church in Calgary, very well attended and the church ladies put on some lovely refreshments. Wilf is not ok but we wouldn't expect him to be. Glad your trip is going great, soon Jen and family will be there. Keep those baskets going Pam, they look lovely. Keep playing that guitar Glen, it's all so fun. from mum
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