Sailing with Don in the BVIs

[Rick Macdonald]

Well, I'm back! Everything was great! The picture was taken Saturday morning in Leverick Bay, in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands.The Beneteau 423 was OK. The telltails were lacking. They were missing on the starboard side of the genoa, and just a few threads remained of the telltails on the leech of the main. And the boat was only 2 years old! We got by, though. Also, to my surprise and disappointment, the outhaul was just coiled up and dangling from the gooseneck. The four cabin top clutches on the starboard side were taken up with the reefing lines. I considered taking out a reef line and running the outhaul back to the cockpit, but I left it be.I was forever releasing the wrong end of the traveler (I don't have one on my boat), but I made good use of it. I also used the genoa sheet cars, which I don't have on my boat either.Lots of swimming and snorkeling, beer and margaritas! I put on 5 pounds!Rick

 

[Ken]

I was looking for you

Rick I think we were about 1 or two days ahead of you. I was keeping a lookout for you, we tunrned of the VHF most of the time, too much chater. We were on Cooper Island when that lady went missing, the police boats were going up and down the beach. Dove the Rhone.We had a 38 ft Lagoon Cat, my wife and the other couple who have never sailed had a great time, there is no way I will be able to bare boat again with her without getting a cat.We got home Sunday night and am still walking around with a smile on my face.Toughest part of the trip was keeping the beer cold.Our boat was 10 years old but very clean and well kept, the rigging was a bit warn but worked OK. I found Conch to very helpfull and freindly and would not hesitate to use them again. Ken

 

[Ken13531]

So what's with all the beautiful ladies?

I sure liked the crew you had.Looks like you had a great time.I am still planning a trip there in Jan. 2009.I will have trouble finding as nice a crew as you had.No hockey to watch and with all the snow we can't even get the docks into the lake. It may be Mothers day before I get to sail. Grrrrr.CheersKen

 

[Scott B]

Rick, nice crew

I definately have the BVI's on my todo list. Sounds like you had a lot of fun.Not to rub it in, but, the ice went out of our bay just over a week ago. Still some snow in the bush and ditches, bit mostly gone. Temps last weekend were 22- 24 and I got up to paint and wax and splashed on Tuesday.

 

[Ken]

What rain?

Rick the only rain we had was the trip from Spanish town to the North End oF Virgin Gorda, but it hardly rained at all, it was cloudy though. I am having a hard time trying to figure out where we were on certain days, no watch, no shoes kind of holiday. We spent an exta time around Peter & Cooper Island because we had dives booked. We also dove at Jost on another wreck. When I booked this trip last summer for April I was worried that it was too late in the season, but with the spring, or lack of it we are having on the prairies I am ready to go right back. I also met a fellow at Leverick Bay who has been sailing his own boat there for the last 20 years had he said April and May are the best times to be there. I think if we go back again we will go in April, I would not want to be there in the really busy season running for mouring balls every day. We only had 1 guy cut us off and take the ball we were almost at, that was at the Baths.Our boat was Kokamo we had a green sail cover.I was hoping to be able to put the boat in in the next couple of weeks but the ice is still over 3 ft thick on the lake, hopfully it starts warming up soon.

 

[Don Guillette]

Picture

Rick: I love the picture!! Could you send me a 8X10 of it so I can frame it for my office? I'll gladly pay for the enlargement and shipping. Just send me an email at yankee3223@juno.com and tell me how much to send you.

 

[Rick Macdonald]

Don - picture

Don - Sure, I'll see what I can do...Rick