Bernd – Page 75 – SY Hullu Poro

…mixed weather…

On February 11, 2023

The mixed weather is still ongoing. Strong winds gusting above 30kn paired with occasional fierce rain showers followed by extensive sunny periods. In other words, warm European April weather. I don’t think this is typical trade wind weather. It shall be over coming Monday.

We moved closer towards the shore and dropped the anchor just 0.3nm in front of the dinghy dock of Saint-Anne. Plenty of boats here under German flag, one showing Titisee as its homeport!

SY Peter von Seestermühe just hundred yards away from us. Another legendary boat, which participated in the first ever Withbread Round the World Race in 1973/74 (under German flag and the name “Peter von Danzig” at that time). She competed against Eric Tabarly and his SY Pen Duick VI, which we saw just recently in Grenada, now under helm of his daughter Marie. Sailing history. Two beautiful heritage boats so close together again after 50 years. Amazing. Yacht spotting goes on.

Susan and myself both remember, that we saw the good old SY Peter von Danzig at the ASV in Kiel just before she took new ownership in 1991.

Fair winds…

…Champagne Friday…

By Bernd

On February 10, 2023

In Martinique

Long live the tradition! Invented by SY Hexe we had a Champage Friday today on SY Hullu Poro. It marks the end of a busy week for a well deserved start into the weekend. Enjoy!

Fair winds…

…5x morning tour…

By Bernd

On February 10, 2023

In Martinique, Trans-Ocean e.V.

There are currently some stronger trade winds going through peaking above 30kn but we got used to it in the meantime. It is still a very pleasant anchorage here at Saint-Anne.

There are only two downsides: the water is a bit choppy and does not invite for a swim and our dinghy is not suitable to go ashore under these conditions from our current location, which is 0.7nm away from the closest dinghy dock. Perhaps we go a bit closer tomorrow.

There was a job on the list. The first SMS from Volker came in at 5:57am asking to remain on stand-by. It was still a bit dark and we were looking for a place to shade from the wind to take the foresail down, which was scheduled for the Sailmaker today.

Shortly after that Volker picked me up, we lifted the anchor and motored to a place nearby…sail down, back to anchorage while enjoying tasty Cappuccino and cookies, sail delivered.

On the way we also dropped some of the old batteries, did some grocery shopping and refilled the outboard engine.

At 10am we called it a day, ready for the weekend.

Fair winds…

…running low energy…

By Bernd

On February 9, 2023

In Martinique, Technical, Trans-Ocean e.V.

Our sailing day became as dramatic as the cloud looks like covering La Soufrière, at the northern tip of St. Vincent, an active Volcano since April 2021. It appears to me that St. Vincent is a very interesting island to keep on the list for the future.

It was clear that all the way up North was clause hauled sailing against the north easterly trade winds but the cape effects at the northern tip of the islands can add another challenge. The waves are rolling in from the Atlantic at times straight onto the nose. Hitting these relative steep waves at 25 to 30kn wind gave the lady a good wash all over. Some squalls added a bit of an extra topping and we felt everything against us on this passage.

On the other side, we motored along the shorelines of the islands as close as possible. Therefore the engine was running for some hours charging the battery bank constantly.

Watching the batteries closely, one of the four service batteries reached cooking stage with the other three being at higher than usual temperatures. We also had acid smell inside the boat. I called Christian from Gesang Yacht Elektronik and we got the plan of action confirmed. Disconnect and control the load into the remaining batteries.

I have learned in the meantime, that the way the test on the batteries was conducted by a certified Volvo dealer might have given a misleading picture on the real SOH (Status of Health).

As we still needed the engine and the Volvo charger is not smart at all, we had to control the battery charge load through consumers. While sailing, – minimise consumers, while motoring – maximise consumers, to prevent further batteries to heat up. Sailing into the night required to adapt the settings as we need more energy at darkness. Totally pathetic but worked.

We arrived around 10pm at our anchorage in Saint-Anne on Martinique, just in time when another squall released its fierce force on us. We accepted by now, it can only get better. With a hefty grip, the anchor did bite into the sandy ground and after a short while we felt first relief after quite some hours of excitement.

We cleared the mess trying to catch some sleep. It became a short night. Susan had to work 3am in the morning and managed very well.

After all, one more time I feel, that my nose smashed finally into the cream!

We were planning to meet Cornelia and Volker from SY Hexe, very good sailing mates from Puerto Calero/Lanzarote. Our anchor dropped just behind their stern!

With great help and little push from Volker (I was still energy low) we picked up new batteries from Yachting Engineering Services, one of the shops you can reach by dinghy.

The new battery bank was installed by 1pm and put on generator loading.
What a final relief. Thank you Volker!

…early start…

By Bernd

On February 8, 2023

In St. Vincent & Grenadines

We left this unique spot in the early morning hours after boat boy Squin brought us some white bread, eggs and local bananas at 6am sharp. 75nm ahead of us to Saint-Anne/Martinique.

Fair winds…

Special Dinner

By Bernd

On February 7, 2023

In St. Vincent & Grenadines, Trans-Ocean e.V.

Curtis came 6pm sharp to pick us up for the dinner. Super reliable, helpful, friendly and funny.

We had a chat with Rosi and Orlando and acknowledged, that this is a special TO Base, no doubt. The overall arrangement is well thought through, the dinner delicious in a perfect sunset environment. Thank you!

Fair winds…

St. Vincent – TO Base

By Bernd

On February 7, 2023

In St. Vincent & Grenadines, Technical, Trans-Ocean e.V.

We have left the Grenadines against our plan as we need to fix a technical issue on the boat. Return is open at the moment.

In short, our service battery bank has aged quickly over the last couple of weeks and we are now at 12.0V only at 95% SOC (state of charge). This is despite the fact, that they have been declared in Puerto Calero three month back to achieve a 95% SOH (state of health). They are now under ICU management to prevent total breakdown before having new ones at hand.

We are heading back to Martinique to get them replaced. This gives us the great opportunity to visit the TO Base on St. Vincent Island. It is run by Rosi and her husband Orlando. A special arrangement in a very small and picturesque bay with very few mooring buoys, sunset dinner, rubbish disposal, immigration service. We opted for all of it! Pick-up for dinner is at 6pm sharp. Fish or Chicken? We pre-ordered one each and are now hungry after another pleasant sailing day in moderate trade winds.

Fair winds…

🙋‍♀️…Sailor’s Sunday…🙋‍♂️

By Bernd

On February 5, 2023

In St. Vincent & Grenadines

Typical Sailor’s Sunday: baking bread, brunch, swimming, cleaning the bilge from oil spill, working on batteries, surfing (the net), afternoon nap, rum punch, live music from beach bar, dinner cooking, early night.

Fair winds…

🧐…yacht spotting…👍

By Bernd

On February 4, 2023

In St. Vincent & Grenadines

While we had a drink together with Rita and Hartmut from SY Kirke, big sails were looming up on the horizon. Superyacht Aquijo was joined a bit later by Sea Eagle II, another impressive floating home. I wish they had better weather today at 500k€ per week. We are lazy. Fair winds…

🚴‍♂️…Immigration…🛂

By Bernd

On February 2, 2023

In St. Vincent & Grenadines

For entry clearance into St. Vincent & The Grenadines we had to go to Clifton, which is on the other side of the island.

I volunteered to get this done as Susan was working today and I had plenty of reasons to get the bike out. Knowing that the first and last km will end up in carrying the bike through the jungle, it became a special ride by all means. The stamp in the passport was done in a very professional manner.

I was not expecting anyone present at Sunset Cove Bar at my early arrival 7:30am but suddenly Kevin was there to help dragging the dinghy with the bike ashore. He also offered me a chair and a bucket of water to get the sand off my feet before jumping into the biking shoes. On top of that he provided me a tourist map and explained the walking path through the jungle to reach the road at the mountain top. I like the warm service sense at this place, friendly but not demanding.

Once in the saddle I became soon friend with a turtle trying to reach the other side of the road. I got puzzled, thinking it was totally lost and should get back into their natural element! A guy passed by smiling at me and when a car came along I signalled desperately to be careful.

The driver laughed at me shouting no problem, they are safe! It seems to be normal and I took it a bit more easy on the way back meeting a junior turtle. which even stuck it head out looking at me. Nice encounters.

Suddenly Jonathan was on the road next to me. Not sure where he came from but we took the ride together while chatting. He was on the way to school, grade 6, and likes biking, etc. etc. After about 2km we separated and I wished him good luck for his vision to become a football star or actor.

The stories during today’s ride went on and on but I have an invite for a birthday party tonight, which I cannot miss! Cruising life is quality life.

Biking on Union Island paralysed me today. What was supposed to become an Immigration Ride, turned out into one of my most diverse rides ever. Nature, people and biking wise.

Fair winds…

Boating & Biking Adventures

Author: Bernd Page 75 of 130

…mixed weather…

…Champagne Friday…

…5x morning tour…

…running low energy…

…early start…

Special Dinner

St. Vincent – TO Base

🙋‍♀️…Sailor’s Sunday…🙋‍♂️

🧐…yacht spotting…👍

🚴‍♂️…Immigration…🛂