Category: Cruising

The Cuban was finally substituted for by another electrician called Davis who was a delightful guy. He tested the mainsail furling solenoid and connections and they were OK. So the hydraulic motor was disassembled and all the connectors were burnt out. They had caught on the casing internally due to stress the source of which is unknown. Now we wait for the verdict from the workshop. In the UK I could order a motor off-the-shelf today. Ah well…      

I am waiting for ‘The Cuban’ to come and inspect my solenoid. This is the dangly bit that operates the mainsail hydraulic motor. No sign of him yet but this kind of waiting isn’t all bad!

We went for a walk and ended up in Dodgy Dock. Very colourful but we were attacked by noseeums so got out quickly.

To get our headsail furling fixed we will have to sail about 400nm north to St Martin to work with Rondals ‘partner’ in the Caribbean. This is likely to be more economical and result in a better solution than carrying out bespoke engineering even in capable locations such as Grenada. Our mainsail furling, a second complete hydraulic system, packed up in Canouan. It’s probably a faulty starter solenoid so ‘The Cuban’ is coming out at anchor to check it over tomorrow.

Sunday we watched the Superbowl on the big screen. Monday the racers are in town for Grenada Sailing Week and that means it’s party time so we were treated to a good band and music.

Through the tunnel to the Carenage and over to a restaurant by the library. The streets are steep. The typical lunch is a Roti, potato and chicken or fish mixed with potato and wrapped up in a roti. Why use the staircase?

Grenada, getting ready for National Day celebrating 40 years of independence so the flags are out;  

This is the time of year for flowers

Provisioning at SpiceIsland Mall. The Mall is inhabited by a woman who approaches all foreigners asking for $10EC. The supermarket is well stocked and is within a couple of hundred yards of Grand Anse beach.

More views of the beach infront of the anchorage (never anyone on them!), the marina seriously-mini mart, and Tiki Bar. It’s always Christmas here. Many places in the Caribbean are still flying Xmas decorations so we are ready for the next one in eleven months time. Fancy hiring a boat bar? The marina is the first I have seen to have the docks lit by glass chandelier.