With our first real "offshore" passage in the log here are some thoughts on it:

The planning

We had originally wanted to go to Jamaica as a stepping stone north to Cuba and the Windward Passage, and with the Trades in the East this would have been possible since Rasta-land lies almost directly North of Cartagena. We were given hours of help in analyzing the grib files (raw wind data supplied by NOAA) and current predictions using the navigation software MaxSea by David Kane of "Lightspeed".



David and Kathy will take charter guests aboard their modern spacious catamaran and for anyone wanting some incredible sailing on an ultra high performance cat with two really first class people I cannot think of a better way to go. Check them out here (dksail.com) and in the side links.
Everything pointed towards a change of destination to Grand Cayman, which though 200 miles further to the northwest, provided a more attainable wind angle and some significant current assist. The planning worked out well with only one night of snotty weather and winds averaging around 15 knots mostly from the north or northeast. This meant that we were able to lay Grand Cayman on one tack, even though we were close hauled almost all the way and therefore endured a fair bit of pounding. Jamaica would have been very difficult.
The availability of this kind of wind and current data through the internet has really changed the science of route planning and can take some of the variables out. For us, with no SSB (shortwave radio) and therefore no e-mail whilst at sea, we are able to get a pretty precise model of our first three days. From there out the accuracy diminishes and we have to take what we get.

The boat

Once again Mandy proved the BCC to be a wonderful voyaging craft. To average 90 miles a day in a 28' boat sailed very conservatively (always at least one reef at night) is a testament to the slippery design. She will always be small, a bit wet, and perhaps not as comfortable as some larger craft, but at no time does one feel not in control and very safe. A great little boat.

The good

Racing along the first night out of Cartagena we average 6 knots for seven or eight hours. Wonderful, exhilarating sailing under a pitch black moonless sky.

A sense of achievement in doing something we had not previously. As a child I recall watching my father digging in the vegetable garden, trying it myself and after tiring quickly wondering how anyone could ever "work" all day long. It seemed inconceivable. Not long ago I would have thought the same of sailing 650 miles, but you do it by repeating what you've learned in smaller segments. And it feels good to get it done.

Not long after dawn on our eighth day, about six miles out from Georgetown, a high powered motor launch approached and pulled alongside The operator opened his pilot house window and asked "Where are you comin from?" "Cartagena" we replied. "'ow many souls on board?" "Two" I replied, thinking it may be an exaggeration to say I have a soul! With a great big grin, Dwayne, the Camaynian Port Authority launch driver shouted across "Welcome to de Cayman Islands. I'll look after you. Follow me." Now that's a great arrival.

The bad

Virginia was starting to get sick the day we left and by the first night out was coughing and spluttering. The first couple of days out are always very tiring and sea sickness is never far away, so this really made it miserable for her. It's a pity because the passage had some great moments, but mostly not for her.

I have never been able to get our Monitor wind vane dialed in and working. It may be that it suffered from some deforming trauma before we installed it (it is very old) or it may just be my failure to adjust it correctly. Either way it cannot hold a course.
This has not been a problem before since the new Raymarine Tiller Pilot has been fine. However it came unraveled early on this passage, firstly the brass mounting barrel came unglued and later the pilot arm itself failed. With 400 miles to go the thought of no auto steering was a bit of a nightmare. Again it is a great testament to the design of the boat that we were able to sail the rest of the way with the tiller lashed and occasional input from us.

R & R in Georgetown

Saturday was spent clearing in with customs and immigration, who were all perfectly charming, and then after anchoring a little north of town we got some sleep, sleep, sleep.
In the evening a grand firework display marking the end of "Pirate's Week" in Georgetown was taken aboard Mandy as a personal welcome show.
Sunday we explored, found the best spot for dinner and there celebrated my birthday and exactly one year of voyaging from San Diego.