Med Moor Like a Pro

To see my article on med mooring in the latest issue of Caribbean Compass click here.

Page 24.

Leaving Grenada

I am not sure if we wore out our welcome, but we sure wore out our Grenada courtesy flag.  This concludes our second season in Grenada hiding from hurricanes.  With three years of fulltime boat living/cruising under our keel(s), we have spent more time in Grenada than anywhere else.

In preparation for the long trek back to the United States, Motivator moved from her summer home at Port Louis Marina to the south end of the island to Spice Island Marina where she was pulled from the water.

The bottom was sanded and recoated with two coats of new bottom paint.  All the zincs were replaced and the running gear was cleaned and polished.  Additionally, I had the gentlemen with big arms and big buffers clean and polish the hull below the toe rail.

With constant supervision, Motivator was ready to go back in the water in only 4 days.  Considering the “island time” factor, that may be a new record!  Overall, we were very satisfied with the work performed.

Back in the water, we decided we were ready for some quiet time before we left Grenada.  So, our first stop was about a half a mile from Spice Island Marina at Prickly Bay Marina where we took a mooring ball for a few days.  Prickly Bay provides easy access to Grenada’s bus system and three good restaurants.  The Dodgy Dock Restaurant quickly became our favorite breakfast hangout.  But, the anchorage is very rolly, so we were ready to move.

Our next stop was Mt. Hartman Bay which is very quiet but not as handy to shopping and services.  Boats are protected from swells by reefs that guard the bay and make the entry a little challenging.  Our only shore neighbor was a small fishing camp (blue skiff) where in a week’s time we saw only one guy fishing on a Sunday morning.

Mt. Hartman Bay is one of those places where a good dinghy comes in handy.  “Little Toot,” Pollie’s name for our dinghy, served us well for trips into Secret Harbour Marina.  Also, we could easily go around the corner and through the reefs to Roger’s Beach Bar on Hog Island, Whisper Cove Marina (best steaks ever from Meat & Meet), and Clark’s Court Bay Marina.

To stage for our departure, do final provisioning, and to check out with officials we moved back around to the anchorage outside of St. George’s Harbour.  We also managed to get invited as guests to one final swim/happy hour at the pool at Port Louis Marina where we said goodbye (for awhile) to the friends we have made in Grenada.

“If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen out there.”

                             Captain Ron Rico

Friday Is Build-A-Burger Day

Every Friday between 11:30 and 1:30 the Merry Baker sells burgers, a lot of them.  When we first returned to Grenada, I went to the bakery for some breakfast goodies.  While Nigel was ringing me up, I asked if they were still doing the Build-A-Burger Fridays.  He said if they tried to stop the tradition, there would be a revolt on the island.

Part of the attraction is the price.  At $10 EC ($3.70 USD) a burger with all of the fixings it is a real bargain.

But it also has turned into one of the cruisers’ must do social events.  Usually one has to fight for seating at one of the picnic tables under the tree, but on this Friday a torrential rain had thinned the ranks.

The first step to building a burger is to pay the perpetually cheerful Merry for your burgers and drinks while not being tempted by the baked goodies.

Step number two is slicing a fresh baked bun and decorating it with condiments.

Step three is getting your burger and grilled onions hot of the grill from Nigel.

For more information about Merry and Nigel and the Merry Baker, CLICK HERE.

You Know You’re a Red-neck if:

“Your lawn furniture used to be your living room furniture.”

The seventh habit from Stephen Covey’s 90’s management book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, is “Sharpen the Saw.”  His premise was that just like a carpenter sharpening his saw; one has to take time out to improve your tools whether that is more training, or just refreshing your outlook.

 Head bolts torqued and valve adjustment on the 12.5 kW generator

His concept of continuous improvement transfers nicely to the cruising lifestyle and boat maintenance.

Exhaust hose replacement on the 5 kW generator

A good time to practice sharpening the saw is during hurricane season in Grenada. After a winter of cruising, we usually approach Port Louis Marina in Grenada with a long to-do list.  Last year I learned that playing and relaxing in Grenada does not get the work done, and you can end up scrambling to check items off the list as departure time approaches.

Transmission fluid and filter change

Most of the items on the to-do list are standard maintenance items that are easier accomplished while laid up in Grenada.

Replacement of a broken chain peeler

Other items are a little more complicated.  The primary windlass had a nasty habit of breaking off (expensive) chain peelers.  After talking with the windlass manufacturer and exchanging photographs, their engineer determined that the angle of the chain pipe allowed the chain to strike the chain pipe before contacting the peeler at the gypsy.  The chain pipe has been modified by a local machine shop.

New entertainment center cover

Other items on the to-do list were not as critical, but more on the aesthetic side.  The original VHS/DVD system was updated requiring some cabinetry work.

Varnishing a new fold-out computer desk

The dated and worn salon upholstery is being replaced by a local shop.  While we were at it, we had a local woodworker fabricate computer desks that will attach to the underside of the ottoman cushions.

Habit #1:  “Be Proactive.”  Now that my chores are done, I am headed to the pool.

Med Moored

Two bow lines are connected to a small buoy (now submerged) and four lines are run to the concrete quay behind us.  We arrived during a small squall with rain and wind on the beam.  One of the marina workers in a dinghy attached the bow lines while two others took the stern lines from Pollie as I maneuvered the boat.  It was a success; we are safely here and did not scratch any fiberglass.

Our insurance requires us to be south of 12°40¢ North from 1 June to 15 November or we will be self-insuring for named or numbered storms.  Port Louis Marina, our home until October, lies at 12°04¢ North.

The insurance companies have slightly different views on what constitutes the Northern Tropical Storm Zone, and when the hurricane season officially starts and ends.  NOAA’s 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook indicates that a near normal season is most likely. Probably:

9-15 named storms,

4-8 could become hurricanes,

1-3 major hurricanes.

Port Louis is in a lagoon that is considered a “hurricane hole” and has a pretty good hurricane plan.  So, we will deal with it if something develops.  Last year we moved the boat from Florida to the Chesapeake to get out of the zone only to be hit by an earthquake followed by Hurricane Irene.

When we arrived, customs and immigration was quickly handled in the onsite office.

The Marina was completed in 2009; the landscaping is starting to fill in nicely.

There are onsite bars and restaurants a short walk from our boat.

At 12° North of the equator, the pool gets plenty of business.

Gems

We seem to have some nice neighbors.

All in all, it not too shabby.

When we get bored, we can cross over to Saint Georges or tour the rest of Grenada.  So, stay tuned, we may have the boat in “condo mode,” but the blog articles will still be coming.