After getting our engine issue resolved and our SSB sort of resolved we loaded up with fuel, gas and diesel, water and headed back across the Cayman Island North Sound following our in-bound track. No problemo!

Once in the deep water it was out with the sails and we were off to Jamaica. For about four hours before the wind collapsed. We did manage to clear the east end of the island and said good by to Grand Cayman. I knew the winds were going light based on my studies. So on with our engine and hah it ran sooo smoothly. Little did I realize that it would be another 24 to 30 hours without wind.

One of Offshore Predict wind suggested courses would have sent us up to Cuba and then east. I decided to power directly toward Jamaica anticipating the wind would stay light and then turn more easterly.

Yup that's just what happened. We powered all night, all day and into day three hoping to make it around the final Jamaica point before Port Antonio before the strong easterly reset. God bless Lucky Bird. We just made the point with no wind just as it started picking up. 5 then 10 then 15 then 18. We pulled out the main to help stabilize LB but kept powering with only 24 mile to Port Antonio. Long story short, we are at the Errol Flynn marina, having been visited by Quarantine, Customs and Immigration, unfortunately for us it is late Sunday evening and we will have to pay.

Tomorrow another visit to the ATM to pay for weekend services. Oh well it is what is it, right!!

Sailing along the Jamaican coast was spectacular, so much so I think we will rent a car and drive the island. I'm reading Mitchner's Caribbean and Jamaica is spotlighted in his writing.

So we are half way to Puerto Rico and the next passage to the DR may be the most challenging. We are old folks and old folks don't like to go to windward; ease the sails and slide off the wind but for us, no way Jose. Another 1100 mile upwind, so we will be patient and very protective of our lady Luck Bird. We've been over 800 miles from Rio Dulce to Jamaica and after a few days of R&R we'll turn eastward again.