Intrepid Travels

The next morning we set off to cross St Vincent passage to St Lucia. As we passed around the appropriately named Cape Roll we hit the trade winds and Atlantic swell. Then rain squalls hit and we were soon in very stormy conditions. Things got worse when instruments failed and we had to steer by hand. Then we noticed a burning smell coming from the saloon. Visibility reduced to about 100 m as the rain became intense and we used radar to see other vessels as the winds built to about 40 kn. The burning smell became very strong so we shut down all power. It certainly was handy to have a third crew member on board to share the hand steering in the next 4 hours. We got to St Lucia and limped into the Pitons anchorage. Investigations showed a leak through a front window seal which had caused a short circuit. We informed the factory and must now stop when we get to Martinique for repairs. In the meantime we continue our voyage without instruments or autopilot.
We spent two pleasant nights anchored in the Pitons and Soufriere before motoring up the coast against strong winds to Rodney Bay on the north-west corner of St Lucia. We spent one night anchored in the Bay and then moved into the Rodney Bay Marina in the hope of getting our instrument problems investigated. We found a company specialising in navigation electronics. They looked at the problems but were unable to find the source of the problem will make any temporary repairs. So we spent the time relaxing, shopping and doing cleaning and maintenance. Each evening, Fabio led us in a yoga class on the trampoline. It was difficult at first coping with all the stares, but then we realised that some other yachties do this. It is very important to maintain flexibility as being on board the yacht limits the amount of exercise and normal movement that we used to have with our land lives. So we will continue.