![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/svecho.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/DSCN1871.jpg\")
<\/a>Apple Crisp<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lasagna<\/p><\/div>\n
We spent last Sunday morning preparing for passage. Jeff checked the engines, strung the jack lines and prepared the boat. I made a pan of lasagna, one of Apple crisp, and prepared the cabin.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Eustatia Sound BVI<\/p><\/div>\n
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We raised our anchor at noon in Eustatia Sound near Virgin Gorda.\u00a0 It was an incredibly beautiful morning, a beautiful spot in any conditions but the colors were particularly intense that day.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Temporary Sail Repair<\/p><\/div>\n
The first few hours of the passage were a nice sail south. Echo did quite well about 60 degrees off the wind, we had the full main and Genoa up and our speed ranges between 5 to 7 knots. Wind speed had been about 15 knots but picked up to low to mid 20’s so we took in the head sail. The wind direction had changed also so we started up the engines too. At this time Jeff noticed a tear in the main sail and had to go forward to place a piece of sail tape on a a temporary repair.<\/p>\n
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The seas were running about 6 to 8 feet right on our nose so it was a pretty bouncy ride. We each had our handy wrist bands on but then added scopolamine patches to help with the queasiness. \u00a0The patches take a few hours to take effect and should have been applied earlier that morning or the night before to have provided much help.\u00a0 We have found that both of us feel a bit queasy our first day out and should have prepared accordingly.<\/p>\n
These one night passages are tough on us. We only managed 2 hour watches and neither of us got much sleep. We arrived in St. Martin just after sunrise and dropped anchor in the outer harbor. Took a little nap then removed the main sail in order to get a better look. Quite a a task in 14 Knots of wind, I pretty much laid on the sail to keep it from flying overboard.<\/p>\n
We have known a new sail was in our near future but hoped to make it through to Grenada where we will spend the upcoming hurricane season.\u00a0 While exploring what our options are, Jeff is patching the existing sail.\u00a0 It is our intention to reinstall it then keep it reefed down.\u00a0 This along with our various head sails should get us through for the interim.<\/p>\n
Jeff has been getting loads of sewing experience lately.\u00a0 A few weeks ago he made a new section for our windshield.\u00a0 We had the entire windshield down since arriving in Puerto Rico in December but it’s a necessity for night passage.\u00a0 Now his sail repair effort is a critical part of our plans.\u00a0 Glad he is so resourceful!<\/p>\n
<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>Zooropa and Echo at anchor, Simpson Bay St. Martin<\/p><\/div>\n
While here in St. Martin we have encountered two other Antares.\u00a0 Golden Glow who we had met in Annapolis last fall and had corresponded with recently and Zooropa who we just met. \u00a0We learned that\u00a0 Golden Glow<\/a> will be heading across the Atlantic in the next month or so,\u00a0 we’re excited for them and will watch their adventure on their blog.\u00a0 Zooropa took delivery of their new Antares just last August in Argentina and will be heading to the Bahamas then to the US.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We are traveling slower than we had hoped but it’s just part of the program.\u00a0 We continue to feel good about Echo and are quite comfortable.\u00a0 We knew when buying her there would be work involved and we are addressing things as they come up while enjoying the sights along the way.\u00a0 We need to be about 500 miles south of here in Grenada by July 1st to comply with our insurance policy.\u00a0 We plan to visit several islands along the way and don’t foresee a problem making the distance in time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0Hope to be heading out this weekend.\u00a0 Happy Easter to all!<\/em><\/p>\n ~ Jeff and Mary ~<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Well, we had hoped to be exploring new territory at this point but here we are back in St. Martin.\u00a0 Having spent some time here last year, it was not on the list if islands to visit this time through. … Continue reading <\/a>We have also reconnected with Mitch and Mel of Private Dancer.\u00a0 We met them last year in the BVIs and have enjoyed spending a bit more time with them this year.\u00a0 They had gone as far as Trinidad since we saw them last and they have given us loads of information for our travels south.\u00a0 They are now heading back to the US for a bit.<\/p>\n