S/V Europa
| Vessel Name: | Europa |
| Vessel Make/Model: | TRU32 |
| Hailing Port: | St Croix, USVI |
| Crew: | Jamie & Brock |
| About: | After a fire on our 58' trawler suddenly rearranged our lives in Seattle, we decided to turn the sadness into opportunity. We quit our jobs (crazy? umm, maybe) and went to Florida to buy a new boat & sail off into new adventures. |
| Extra: | Europa is a 33 foot catamaran built in South Africa. We acquired her in March 2017 and are sailing the Caribbean, toward Panama for the hurricane season. |
Recent Blog Posts
31 May 2017
Jamaica
So we made it to Jamaica after a relatively routine trip through the Windward Passage. We did see 25 kts of wind at our stern, along with 6-8 foot waves. This is well within what the boat can handle and is something I will get used to as experience with the sailboat increases.
17 May 2017 | Clarence Town, Long Island, The Bahamas
Holed up in Clarence Town
I'm just going to dive right in here with an update. Perhaps I'll throw a backstory post in somewhere, but today, I just feel like a short one to get the writing flow going after a many year break from any blogging.
Jamaica
31 May 2017
So we made it to Jamaica after a relatively routine trip through the Windward Passage. We did see 25 kts of wind at our stern, along with 6-8 foot waves. This is well within what the boat can handle and is something I will get used to as experience with the sailboat increases.
It was lovely to be past the bashing of the Bahamas. In the month we were there, we didn't see the wind anywhere but on our nose the entire time. Enough to make you more than a little tired of an area, when you feel as though the whole place is against you getting where you want to go. The wind at our back was fantastic at last and Europa rides well even with a secondary swell off the beam.
We're now at Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio. It's a quieter town than Kingston or Mo'Bay. Supposedly safer as well. We have enjoyed strolling through the market, although it's true that you're approached constantly with pushy vendors. The art of saying no gets practiced thoroughly. Getting back to the boat can be a welcome relief from intrusion.
We have hired a guide for a little tour around the area for tomorrow & we're both looking forward to that. It's a balance between enjoying the boat and needing to get off of it now and then, especially with a longer crossing looming ahead.
We'll be waiting for a weather window here and right now, it looks good early next week to head out for Panama.
It was lovely to be past the bashing of the Bahamas. In the month we were there, we didn't see the wind anywhere but on our nose the entire time. Enough to make you more than a little tired of an area, when you feel as though the whole place is against you getting where you want to go. The wind at our back was fantastic at last and Europa rides well even with a secondary swell off the beam.
We're now at Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio. It's a quieter town than Kingston or Mo'Bay. Supposedly safer as well. We have enjoyed strolling through the market, although it's true that you're approached constantly with pushy vendors. The art of saying no gets practiced thoroughly. Getting back to the boat can be a welcome relief from intrusion.
We have hired a guide for a little tour around the area for tomorrow & we're both looking forward to that. It's a balance between enjoying the boat and needing to get off of it now and then, especially with a longer crossing looming ahead.
We'll be waiting for a weather window here and right now, it looks good early next week to head out for Panama.
Holed up in Clarence Town
17 May 2017 | Clarence Town, Long Island, The Bahamas
Jamie
I'm just going to dive right in here with an update. Perhaps I'll throw a backstory post in somewhere, but today, I just feel like a short one to get the writing flow going after a many year break from any blogging.
We're currently awaiting a weather window in Clarence Town on Long Island in the Bahamas. Our next destination will be on Great Inagua (flamingos? I hope so!), as we get ready to make the turn toward Jamaica and then Panama. There are a number of other boats waiting here with us. The local marina (Flying Fish Marina) is full; it seems a popular sportfishing destination.
It's blowing about 20kts today and overcast. No solar power for us today! I did a bit of laundry - stomped in a bucket to some upbeat music. Still getting used to that and trying to get some systems in place for the bigger pieces (blankets, sheets). I will be paring Brock's wardrobe down until he owns no cotton. That stuff takes FOREVER to dry. Me? I'm already pretty good with rayon and just bikinis. Not a lot of clothing required and there have already been a few naked days onboard when there's no boats for miles. Personally, I think that's the best way to cut down on laundry chores.
Alright, first post in the bag (hey, I have to start somewhere). Updates as events warrant.
We're currently awaiting a weather window in Clarence Town on Long Island in the Bahamas. Our next destination will be on Great Inagua (flamingos? I hope so!), as we get ready to make the turn toward Jamaica and then Panama. There are a number of other boats waiting here with us. The local marina (Flying Fish Marina) is full; it seems a popular sportfishing destination.
It's blowing about 20kts today and overcast. No solar power for us today! I did a bit of laundry - stomped in a bucket to some upbeat music. Still getting used to that and trying to get some systems in place for the bigger pieces (blankets, sheets). I will be paring Brock's wardrobe down until he owns no cotton. That stuff takes FOREVER to dry. Me? I'm already pretty good with rayon and just bikinis. Not a lot of clothing required and there have already been a few naked days onboard when there's no boats for miles. Personally, I think that's the best way to cut down on laundry chores.
Alright, first post in the bag (hey, I have to start somewhere). Updates as events warrant.
Europa's Photos - Main
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