We are just finishing up our 4th day out and with 300 miles to go, we should arrive Culebra in the Spanish Virgins on Saturday.
Our only real difficulty has been that the wind has often been too light for sailing. So, we have resorted to running the motors to keep making progress. Although the wind has been light, it has always come from a useful direction allowing us to keep the sails up while the motor is running. “Motor Sailing” has allowed us to run just one of our engines at a time resulting in low fuel use and extended range.
Although there are always little things to attend, Echo continues to perform well. All systems go and we are very comfortable.
This bit of ocean is very empty. We have not heard any VHF radio traffic since leaving the Abaco coast. We have seen a couple of ships on radar but not closer than about 25 miles. I think the route we are taking is quite rare for cruising boats and is way too far offshore to see any coastal boats. Since our route is not a straight line between commercial ports, there is no reason for freighters to be near by either. The result is that we have the place to ourselves 🙂
Hi Jeff and Mary,
Happy New Year! I can’t believe a year has passed by since we met at Cane Garden Bay!
What a fun night that was. I have enjoyed following your journey this past year along with the purchase of your new catamaran.
During the past year I ended up selling my house, which closed on June 30th. However, my new townhouse would not be ready until November, so what to do? After much thought and inspiration from your travel story, I decided to buy a C& 27 sailboat to live on for the summer. If I was ever going do anything like this, now was the time to do it. I spent the summer living on my boat on Lake Erie, a wonderful experience with new friends I met on the dock. Can’t wait for next summer.
Soon I will return to the BVI’s for a week of sailing Jan 13 – 20th, such a short time, but I am happy just to be able to go.
Wishing you the best of sailing and travelling for the upcoming year
and fair winds,
Judy
Hello Judy! So nice to hear from you.
It makes both of us very happy to learn that you have stepped into the live aboard life. What a great way to spend the summer. Where did you stay on Lake Erie? Except for entering the Welland, we spent more time on the US side.
We are in St Thomas now and might get out towards BVI by the time you are here. We should try to get together.
Fair Winds,
Jeff and Mary