GREAT NEWS SV COMPANION IS OUT OF THE WATER! It was taken out on the 21st of June at Royal Marina on Curacao and is safely cradled waiting for me to return in October.
A final Captains Log for the first year of life with Companion. I have logged three thousand seven hundred and sixty miles. I have visited 18 different countries, anchored or moored at 28 different islands, while staying at 64 different anchorages or marina. I slept on Companion 208 days, which included 21 days of 24/7 sailing. Kim and I had 21 guests join us for part of the adventure as we met or entertained many others at anchorages.
We either rented cars, scooters, or took a taxi or bus to tour 11 of the countries or islands, which doesn’t include the multitude of dinghy trips and long walks to bars, grocery stores, gift shops, marine supply stores, or other points of interest.
Most of the systems worked well, with 1 solar panel broken on our way to Jamaica, an engine water pump and fuel/oil filters needed to be replaced in Dominica Republic, a battery charger and wind gauge were replaced in Tortola, a water pump in Antigua and had the mainsail repaired in Antigua and Jib in Curacao. Mike helped research and brought down the satellite phone, changed most of my lights to LED, jerry rigged a fitting for my outside shower, a support for the computer monitor and even changed the igniter on the stove (Mike I need you for that again !) I have replaced lights, changed fuel and oil filters, scrubbed barnacles off the bottom and Kim has polished and re-polished meters of stainless rails and fittings. I have tightened belts, shrouds, and lifelines, as things seem to slowly loosen on a voyage and have jerry rigged a few things.
Kim and I improved our diet as we ate more vegetables, our muscle cores improved with the constant movement of the boat, and we lost a few pounds. Kim significantly improved her skills: she is a master at hooking a mooring line, steering the boat as we anchor or leave from anchorage, attaching dock lines and fenders, and cooking using a pressure cooker.
It was a joy spending 24/7 with my love, even though periodically I would get on her nerves or some squalls or waves produced some nervous conditions. Navigation was really easy with the Caribbean Guides, Chartplotter, Radar and AIS. Some sails were pure joy while others were a lot like work. We enjoyed our tours of the islands, finding the history stimulating and Kim loved the wild flowers and some of the island artwork, but she was also disappointed that there wasn’t more. The waters of Tobago Cay, Bonaire, and St. John’s were our favorite for snorkeling. My favorite countries/islands were Bonaire, Tobago Cay, Bequia, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. John’s and Belize. Most of the other sailors we met were extremely interesting individuals and it is an interesting culture. We are glad that we spent more time than we had planned in the Caribbean, and there is so much more we could/should have explored, but we are excited to get Companion up to the Northwest. Cruising produces loads of down time, filled with reading books, games of Rummicub, swimming around and dinghy rides to shore., for long walks on beaches, or exploration of little grocery stores or the search for the perfect Rum Punch. Our most enjoyable time was spent with our family and friends as they joined us on Companion or our times entertaining other Cruising Couples. As time passes, I am sure that this year will go down as one of our most memorable, even though it had it’s tense moments.
Voyage II will start in Curacao in October and I would like to make an open invitation for our friends and family to join us often!!
VOYAGE II - ITINERARY - Tentative
SV COMPANION – SECOND YEAR OF SAILING ADVETURE
** POSSIBLE ITINERARY **
DATE LOCATION DISTANCE WHO MIGHT JOIN US
Nov. 3 Curacao to Aruba 60 nm Kurtis/Rose, Tania/Garret
Nov. 5 Aruba to Santa Marta Col. 270 nm - 2 ½ days same
Nov. 10 S.M. Col to Cartagena Col. 120 nm - 1 ½ days Pick up Ed and Kim
Nov. 14 Cart.- San Blas Is Panama 200 nm - 2 days
1-1 1/2 weeks in San Blas
Nov. 23 San Blas to Colon Panama 70 nm Same Crew
Nov. 26-Dec 2 Go through Panama
Dec. 4 Sail to Isla de Coiba CR 160 nm - 2 days
Dec. 7 Sail to Drake Bay Costa Rica 100 nm Some crew leave
Dec. – Jan 1 Explore Costa Rica Em, Kyle
Jan Costa Rica to Acapulco 950 nm Mike, ????
Feb 1-11 Acapulco to Puerto Vallarta 450 nm
Feb. 11-18 PV to Cabo on Baja 280 nm Danylle, Andy
Feb-March Baja Mexico Kim ???
Late March Cabo to San Diego 700 nm Anthony, ???
April Explore Southern Cal
May Ship Companion to Victoria BC
Sail to Shelter Bay WA
