Voyageur C: SailBlogs

On The Edge (Mar 9/10)

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:24:32 -0500

We staged in Barahona, DR for the trip to Ile a Vache. This was one of the more interesting DR towns. We anchored in a mangrove lagoon in front of the main sugar dock, across from the tiny Club Nautico el Manati marina. Quart Presidente was 50 peso (about $1.50). Our translator and general guide to Barahona was Curtis, an American living in the marina on a boat he was rebuilding to put into charter. (Continued...)

Ambushed! (Mar 1 / 10)

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:45:54 -0600

Well, we finally left Fajardo on February 3rd, heading for Puerto Patillas on the southeast corner of PR. After a very rolly night there, we travelled to a lovely secluded anchorage at Cayos de Barca in the Boca de Infierno near Salinas. The area features neat channels for dinghy exploring and clear water, despite the miles of mangrove swamp. Then it was off to Isla Caja de Muertos (Coffin Island?) near Ponce. The island is a National Park, overrun on the weekends but empty during the week while we were there. This was a great chance for hiking! The next day we dropped the hook at Guilligans (Gilligans) Island. Again, this is very busy on the weekends with folks swimming, lounging and just hanging around in the crystal clear knee to neck deep water amongst the mangroves. We had not visited these places on the trip east, but would recommend each to anyone making that passage - although you would need to wiggle your way in close at Puerto Patillas to get completely out of the roll. (Continued...)

The Long Road Home (Feb 1 / 10)

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:49:59 -0600

After our New Year's celebration we moved out of St. Martin's Simpson Bay lagoon into the Marigot anchorage to stage for a 0330 departure for the BVI. We arrived in Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda 13 hours later, but had to motor the entire trip. What happened to leisurely downwind sailing? (Continued...)