Monday, October 20, 2008
Omar - Lonestar
Report from Max & Whitey 10/15/08
In case you thought we might be having too much fun as we cruise around the Caribbean on an 85ft Catamaran.
We were making our way north with our friends, John and Briana Taylor. The first night out of Venezuela (which is a country we were very happy to be leaving from) was an all nighter with no wind but flat, calm seas. We stopped in Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Lucia. It was an easy trip, no wind but at least uneventful. We landed in Martinique on Monday for a scheduled haulout for the boat. We were all happy to get into a hotel for 2 nights. We then found out that the boat couldn't get hauled out until Wednesday. So we stayed on the anchorage there waiting for the other boat to be put in the water. It was at a floating dock. Finally Wednesday about 11 a.m. we were told it was about to go in the water and to get ready to be pulled out straight away. Then about 11:30 we had 7 customs officials motor up in their little inflatable dinghies. Practically no English is spoke by them and no French by us. But basically they want to look at papers with the Captain and do a little inspection. A long story but they proceeded to inspect and look into every cupboard and floor board and water tank and diesel tank. After about 2 hours Whitey asked if they could continue to the inspection while we were getting hauled out. Sure, no problem. So, we motored over to the dry dock and got hauled out. After 3 and a half hours they finally left. We think they were just on a training session. Yeah, they were just doing their jobs but we could have lived without it.
And now we are in St. Martin. As we were sailing up the last day there was a bit of a bad storm that we went through. Of course, that storm has turned into Hurricane Omar. We will take Lone Star into the marina here. The storm will probably go over the Virgin Islands and we will just get the edge of it. Our Deck Hand, Andrew, arrived yesterday and Chef Julia arrives today. We'll have a hurricane party with the entire crew.
We will be fine, I am sure. Don't worry – be happy!
Love,
Max and Whitey
In case you thought we might be having too much fun as we cruise around the Caribbean on an 85ft Catamaran.
We were making our way north with our friends, John and Briana Taylor. The first night out of Venezuela (which is a country we were very happy to be leaving from) was an all nighter with no wind but flat, calm seas. We stopped in Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Lucia. It was an easy trip, no wind but at least uneventful. We landed in Martinique on Monday for a scheduled haulout for the boat. We were all happy to get into a hotel for 2 nights. We then found out that the boat couldn't get hauled out until Wednesday. So we stayed on the anchorage there waiting for the other boat to be put in the water. It was at a floating dock. Finally Wednesday about 11 a.m. we were told it was about to go in the water and to get ready to be pulled out straight away. Then about 11:30 we had 7 customs officials motor up in their little inflatable dinghies. Practically no English is spoke by them and no French by us. But basically they want to look at papers with the Captain and do a little inspection. A long story but they proceeded to inspect and look into every cupboard and floor board and water tank and diesel tank. After about 2 hours Whitey asked if they could continue to the inspection while we were getting hauled out. Sure, no problem. So, we motored over to the dry dock and got hauled out. After 3 and a half hours they finally left. We think they were just on a training session. Yeah, they were just doing their jobs but we could have lived without it.
And now we are in St. Martin. As we were sailing up the last day there was a bit of a bad storm that we went through. Of course, that storm has turned into Hurricane Omar. We will take Lone Star into the marina here. The storm will probably go over the Virgin Islands and we will just get the edge of it. Our Deck Hand, Andrew, arrived yesterday and Chef Julia arrives today. We'll have a hurricane party with the entire crew.
We will be fine, I am sure. Don't worry – be happy!
Love,
Max and Whitey
// posted by Ellie @ 7:34 PM 
