Down the Drake and a Famous Sailor

On Thankgiving we departed to Marina Cay. The wind was around 10 knots on the aft quarter so we decided to launch the spinnaker. Since everywhere we went was upwind in the Chesapeake, this was the first time we were able to use it. Jim set up a tackline and sheet blocks based on his best guess and up it went. We were surprised how symmetrical it looked for an asymmetrical chute and were wondering if we should set the pole. It also had an native american graphic that fit in with the Renegade theme. One of the things we need to to get used to on a big boat is the much larger angle of the apparent wind because of the faster boat speed. We made good time as we rounded Scrub Island. We motored through Trellis Bay and were able to see dozens of boats washed ashore from Irma. We wanted to anchor but the bay was filled with mooring balls so we steered over to the more scenic Marina Cay and secured a mooring. The Marina Cay restaurant was destroyed in Irma but the fuel dock is operational. We went snorkeling on the reef next to the boat and Amy made a Thanksgiving feast from canned turkey with home made dressing, fresh cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and a homemade pumpkin pie. We felt like we were back home.

On the morning of the 29th we motored to Road Town with flat seas and anchored off Port Purcell. We went ashore to secure spare engine parts from Parts & Power and to complete some grocery shopping at One Mart. Both establishments were well run and we recommend both if you find yourself in Road Town. Since we were in the big town, we headed over to Village Cay Marina for lunch and weighed anchor for Norman Island.

We arrived at Norman and saw every square foot is now covered with moorings with no anchor options so we took a mooring on the outside edge. The following day we checked out the new William Thornton (the old ship sank in Irma) for lunch and the walked around the refurbished restaurant and gift shop on land. It was when we went back to the boat that the real excitement occurred. The famous author and sailor John Kretschmer motored right past us on Quetzal and picked up a mooring! Not knowing how long he was staying, we headed over to say hello and he was happy to sign our copy of his book Sailing a Serious Ocean. He said he just left Nanny Cay and was getting ready for his sail training season which will include a circumnavigation after a minor diversion to Greenland! He said he noticed Renegade coming in and always thought Apogees were the ultimate bluewater boats. Meeting Kretschmer and getting his seal of approval on Renegade, definitely a big day!