Out of the water!.....

Not quite what we had planned for Martinique! After talking very nicely to the right people at the boat yard we had the boat hauled out yesterday, ready to start the repairs to the propellor on Monday . We had to mention that we needed to be in St.Lucia next weekend for the arrival of my parents. The haul out was quite an experience, Dave had to manouevre the boat which is 22'8''inches wide into a concrete dock 24' wide with only one engine.

Don't dive now!!!

We are staying in an apartment close to the marina while the boat is on the hard. We didn't like the idea of being in the boat yard which is roasting hot with no breeze and full of mosquitos.
The girls ran around the apartment like wild animals that had been let out of a cage, enjoying the space. Dave and I had the longest shower EVER!!! Despite the novelty, it felt somewhat claustrophobic compared to being out at anchor and we all agree that we prefer living on the boat than on land.
From the Skipper
This weekend there has been a regatta in Marin, with the locals racing unusal 'Yoles'. If I was to describe one, the closest approximation would be sailing one hull of a catamaran with 10 or so sliding poles and a giant oar for a rudder. The mainsail is vast and unforgiving and it takes 3 quite beefy chaps to keep hold of the helm. In the second picture I was doing about 10 knots standing up in the dinghy just about keeping up then a gust hit them, the crew threw themselves out on the poles, the three helmsmen strained and they flew off at about 15 knots. Darcy and I thought we would love to have a go at this - not sure Bowmoor would have the space for one! 

I'm going to be at the boatyard early doors tomorrow to open up for the engineers. I have also got to get the mainsail off the boat for some more repairs - hopefully there will be some bods around to help. It will be good to get the shafts and props sorted and the leaks stopped. There has been one consellation to this excercise in that I have found the biggest, cheapest, most well stocked fishing shop on the planet. Not only does it have everything, the staff are super friendly and knowledgable. Its like a supermarket - there are 3 aisles just for trolling lures, a complete aisle for hooks, 2 aisles of reels and more rods than anyone could begin to shake a stick at. Boys - I wish you were here!