Written on May 2 – Simpson Bay Lagoon, St. Maarten
We knew when we set out that come late April/early May it would be time to make a decision: Do we go North or do we go South?
Going North would mean heading up to the Bahamas, enjoy and explore, and then over to Florida, to put the boat on the hard, and head home for a bit.
Going South would mean following the island chain down to Grenada, where we’d sit out part of hurricane season before heading home in the fall for a bit. Or maybe even make it over to the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonnaire, Curacao), well out of the way of the hurricane belt.
We have decided to go South. Let me rephrase.
Our plan is to go South.
I’m learning that in sailing it’s always better to say “the plan is…” or “we’re aiming to ….” Never speak in the definitive. Call it sailor’s superstition or whatever you like, but don’t tempt fate; you never know what is going to happen. The wind, the waves, mechanics, electronics, finances, personal choices, you name it, they can all equally affect your ability to go. Or get there.
A German couple we have befriended here have been trying to leave since we met them two weeks ago (yes, it’s probably us, we may smell; showers are hard to come by). The winds changed and suddenly it’s much more difficult for them to get to where they want. So they wait it out, trying not to spend money, until their weather window comes.
We are waiting it out too. We are waiting on work to be done: our radar arch and dodger will be ready “soon” we are told. The big mega yachts and gin palaces have moved on. It is now the off season and the tradespeople have time for the little jobs. (Little for them, perhaps. But the old saying that a boat is nothing but a large hole in the water in which to throw your money is incredibly accurate). Nonetheless, the addition of both “Archie” and “Roger” are eagerly awaited aboard Cedar II. The plan is to have them in the next week and a half.
(On verra bien)