Finally Checking Back In

Hello everyone!  We love that people are interested in following our travels and apologize for the dry spell in posts,  The more time that passes between posts the more difficult writing becomes so we’ll start out with a short update and see where we go from there.

We’re currently in the US Virgin Islands after a 12 day passage from Hampton Virginia.  We’re travelling with the Salty Dawg Rally and we’re bound for Antiuga but due various factors, we ducked in to St. John USVI last week.

Our son, Brian joined us for the passage and just flew home to Washington yesterday.      The rally’s original destination was Virgin Gorda, BVI but had been changed to Antiqia after the Islands were hit with the hurricanes.  Brian’s travel had been booked from USVI prior to the change.

This was our first passage with a third hand on board and it turned out being one where help was certainly needed!  We left Hampton the morning of November 2nd and almost immediately began experiencing a problem with one engine.  We altered course to Cape Lookout to drop anchor and assess the problem but Brian and Jeff appeared to correct the problem so we headed out across the Gulf Stream.  Unfortunately the problem arose again and they spent many hours during passage in the engine locker checking/changing filters and adding a pump system to help clear fuel blockages which continued to occur.  We believe our problem was due to having not properly closed the diesel fill opening on deck following our last fuel fill.  There had been a fair amount of rain while we were docked in Hampton and before we saw the problem with the cap.  Seems like some water got into the starboard tank and created “gremlins” in the system.  The problem also cropped up when we started the generator which feeds from the same fuel tank.  Needless to say, Echo gave Brian an in-depth lesson on fuel systems for both the engine and generator.  Good thing he gets his mechanical abilities from his dad!

In addition to our mechanical challenges, the weather was less than cooperative for the journey.  The weather forecast prior to departure called for light winds and fuel conservation would be called for in order to make the 1500 mile journey.  Some boats went to Bermuda where they could refuel then have a more favorable wind angle for Antigua.  We opted to go direct and bought a few more Jerry cans to carry extra fuel.  We needed a 1000 mile passage to achieve full membership in the Ocean Cruising Club and we’re determined to make it.  Other Rally boats with the same goal of an uninterrupted 1000 mile passage did stop in Bermuda but then went on past Antigua to make the distance.  Congratulations to us and to our friends for full membership in the OCC!  Brian is eligible for full membership too if he ever decides to join the group.

Although we do wish we could have gotten Brian to Antigua to enjoy the fun and festivities we have seen a bit of storm ravaged St. John and St. Thomas.  Seeing things firsthand and talking to people who experienced the impact of Erma and Maria has been profond.  We were very glad to reconnect with our friends Stuart and Catherine who road things out on St. John.  We visited where they live and work and saw the “bunker” they stayed in during the storm.  Very glad to see them safe and happy in their work!

Happy to report that we enjoyed a few meals of fresh Mahi Mahi during the passage.  Brian reeled in 4 Mahi and let two other types go.  Between new fishing gear, great advice from a fellow rally member and Brian’s diligent fishing efforts the catching game on Echo was significantly improved!  Hope Jeff and I can keep things moving in the right direction!