SSC Mid WInter Newsletter, February 2013

St. Thomas Rolex Regatta | Notes From Martin, Virgin Islands | Caribbean Christmas

Sound Sailing heads to the Caribbean

The crew on-board Bermuda High, St. Thomas Rolex Regatta 2012

 

We are looking forward to doing the Rolex again this year. For the last two years we were in the hunt for a podium finish (3rd place) up to the last day, where the winds were lighter and we were not as competitive.

 

This year, Bermuda High has a lightly used 109% North 3dl racing headsail (new these sails cost over $5k) instead of the much smaller 90% Dacron headsail we used last year. Interestingly, this is a sail off a Farr 40, an all out racing boat. This will get us upwind much faster, with little penalty as the CSA rule does not not penalize larger headsails accurately until you get over about a 120 (according to the measures and sailmakers I have spoken with). All rating rules have their little tricks and loopholes. Another unusual aspect to the CSA rule is that battens are not penalized, so our new jib has battens for better performance. I expect this sail will move us up one or two places. We have also switched to a racing bottom paint, which should also help a bit. The difference between the first and third or fourth boats is generally a matter of seconds, so everything is important.

 

One interesting thing I have discovered is that, even with a less than perfect sail inventory, we have consistently finished in the top half or better of the fleet, and most of our competitors are really good sailors. I do the start, but thereafter, the crew rotates on the helm for 2-3 minutes. One might think this is slow, but it is not, and I think the reason is that our drivers stay super focused on going as fast as possible, while the rest of us call tactics. Focus is the key to doing well, especially for the person on the helm. The person who just relieves the helmsman stay by their side for 2-3 minutes to make sure they stay up to speed and the tell tails are perfect. This system keeps everyone involved and focused, making for a great learning experience. I also am well known for staying calm and collected, and the sprit on Bermuda High is always very good. At the parties, there are often hear of high level captains and owners screaming at the crew and making everyone's life miserable! We may not have won yet, but every year we get better, and we sure have a great time!

 

If you choose to stay on board Bermuda High, costs are as follows:

Main salon berth - $40 per night 

Forward stateroom - $90 per night

Both aft staterooms have been reserved already.

 

Cost for three days of racing and one day of practice: 

$480 - members / $600 - non-members 

 

Arrive Thursday, March 21st and sail with us to the St. Thomas Yacht Club (leaving from CYOA dock in Charlotte Amalie). The race ends Sunday, March 24th followed by the Rolex Award Ceremony and Party held beach side.

 

Complementary breakfast served each morning at St. Thomas yacht Club from Friday, March 22 through Sunday, March 24. Lunch will be served on boat in between races.

 

 

Learn more about the St. Thomas Rolex Regatta here.
 

Last year, we moved our Oday 240 to Mystic, and kept her on a mooring.  Several members got great use out of her, with Mike taking her up to the Newport Folk Festival! However, the gas outboard engine proved challenging for some, so having her down here allows us to offer better support.

One idea we are considering is moving the Oday 240 back to Norwalk where members might get better use out of her and positioning one of the Sabre 30's in Mystic. This means there will be no Daysailer in Mystic.

Your comments are welcome.

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Just before midnight, Dec 19th, Eileen arrives with all seven kids at San Juan airport. We dock overnight in Puerto Del Ray Marina, the largest marina on the east coast of North and South America-over 750 slips. We check out in the morning and sailed to Culebra, well over half the way to St Thomas. We enjoy dinner on the boat and go ashore where we search unsuccessfully for ice cream-a little too late.

 

Martin gets dipped into the waves for some fun on the bosuns chair.

 The next day, we motor around the corner to the undisturbed island of Culebrita, anchoring off the NW tip between the main island and Cayo Botella at a lovely small beach. Day anchorages only, but a great beach with lots of interesting coral. As usual, it is essential to make sure you are dropping the anchor in sand, well clear of any coral, and given the rough conditions, I snorkel out to inspect it. The blue jay cleanly surfs up on the beach with a full load. Good snorkeling and beachcombing here. The local coconut palms provide a fun snack for us. We head back to the mother ship, and set sail for St Thomas where we spend the night. 

 

We sail out the next morning to the St John while hoisting the kids on the bosuns chair, lowering them down for the occasional wave to break over them. A great way to pass the time on a long upwind run. We tack into to Reef Bay, one of my favorite spots, only to discover that both of the two moorings are occupied. We carry on to little Lameshur Bay with plenty of time to head ashore for some beach time. Back to the boat for some grilled steaks.  

 

Andrew gets air time at Spring Bay, Virgin Gorda

After a good nights sleep, we hike over the hills and up the valley to the Petroglyphs, ancient carvings by the native Tahino Indians, in a lovely series of pools fed by a freshwater spring which sits under a 100 foot waterfall (best seen after a heavy rainfall). After a dip in the pools, we hike back down to the ruins of the Reef Bay plantation. Martin decides to adopt a hermit crab which decides to pinch and not let go. I drive a stick between the claws to open them enough for Martin to pull the fold of skin out. Not an easy or painless process, at least for Martin! We hike back for a swim and set sail for the eastern end of St John. 

 

On day five, we sail up Sir Francis Drake passage to Spring Bay National Park on Virgin Gorda, a less crowded version of the Baths. Great fun jumping off large ancient boulders into the crystal clear water. All things must come to an end so we set sail for Christmas Cove, where we will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Arie and crew from Art Objects. After a fun filled Christmas, we decide to spend one last night at CYOA.

 

Day six we head for Vieques. We spend much of the day sailing and finally make it to our destination. Dusk arrives surprisingly early in the Caribbean during December, so we head into the first bay, Bahia Salinas del Sur while we still have light. Lars and Martin watch carefully for coral heads on the bow. This is quite an easy harbor to enter as we anchor under sail, using the boom brake to back us up and Don Street's Chart and Cruising Guide. The sun sets and we enjoy incredible stargazing with the help of the binoculars. 

 

A quick swim the next morning and the we raise the sails and make our way back to the marina. Running down the south coast of Vieques, we sail past many interesting harbors. One could easily spend a week or two cruising this coast with many harbors to be enjoyed in solitude. However, our trip is coming to an end and we must head back. We rent a car on our final day and visit El Yunque National Park. At 3484 feet, this mountain area forms a true rain forest with astonishing scenery and many large waterfalls. We hike up one of the main trails and stop for a swim in one of the pools between the waterfalls-an amazing end to the trip. 

 

The little A's in a waterfall pool, El Yunque Rain Forest, Puertop Rico