Fajardo for a Bottom Job

Going Back in the Water

January 2017 – We anchored just south of Fajardo in the small shelter of Isla Pineros. We spent a really rolly night waiting for our appointment with the travel lift at Puerto del Rey Marina. We were certainly ready to leave once it was time.

We headed out early to make the three short miles to the marina. There was “mucho viento” (lots of wind) and some pretty sporty waves, but we had an appointment to keep. Of course, as we turned the corner at the seawall of the marina, the waves went quiet. Alan still had a lot of wind to contend with, but he did an admirable job driving the boat into the travel lift. Once we were off the boat, we had a talk with the operator about our concerns with the travel lift, and together we decided we should be in the larger one. (Not sure why we were worried about the travel lift? Read about our dismasting here.) So, back on board, out of the lift and into the one next to it. Still blowing like crazy. Once again, no problem. Read more

South Coast of Puerto Rico

Leaving Cabo Rojo

December 2016 – After turning the corner at Cabo Rojo, we headed for La Parguera. Mike and Marjolaine on Basta passed us on the way.

We pulled in to La Parguera just before lunch, on a weekend, during Christmas week. To say it was busy there would be an understatement. We put down the anchor long enough to have lunch, and then turned right back around. Being constantly buzzed by motorboats is not our idea of fun. Our goal in stopping there was to see the bio-luminescent bay nearby. It was to be a moonless night, and that makes for good viewing. Read more

The Mona Passage and West Coast of Puerto Rico

Iguana on the rocks at Cabo Rojo lighthouse

Much lore surrounds the Mona Passage, and it can sound downright intimidating if you just listen to the stories, but our crossing was pretty anti-climactic. We could have used a better wind angle, but the sea conditions were fine. Swells were moderate, but the period (how far apart they were) was long. It was a good motion: enough to remind us that we were on a sailboat, but not enough to throw us around or do any damage. We needed to go ahead and get out of the Dominican Republic, so we couldn’t wait for a perfect weather window, but what we got was good enough. We made an early morning departure from Los Haitises Park in Samana Bay.
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