The Picton Castle had a romping sail from St Pierre, Martinique to Dominica. Boat hoisted, with all hands aboard, we sailed off the anchor on an early morning before breakfast out from under the volcano. Fore yards braced on the port tack to cast the bow to port and northwards. Main yards on starboard tack braced to […]
June 13, 2024Position: 15°17.3’N, 061°22.7’W – Anchored at Roseau, DominicaWeather: 88°F, light northwesterliesWater Temperature: 84°FRemarks: Another hot, sunny, day in Dominica. The 8-12 watch embarks on an extensive painting spree. Spring breathes new life into the three-step with vibrant colors. Sara paints the hatch coaming. Edmund (aka “Figs” for some reason) meticulously primes the newly
Date: June 12, 2024Coordinates: 15°17.3’N, 061°22.7’W – Anchored at Roseau, DominicaWeather: 85°F light E wind Remarks: Ollie and Sophia went ashore with Donald this morning to go provisioning for fresh fruits. Now the fruit lockers have yummy Dominica pineapples, passion fruit, melons and bananas. Clara, Ansleigh, Sara and Zoe spent the day end-for-ending braces. Only one
The Picton Castle, with her spanker set keeping her head to wind, is anchored pretty close to the black sand beach that is the shore at St Pierre, Martinique. This is necessary as the shore drops off steeply here. I make my way to sit on a mahogany chest next to the wheel box up on the
Captain’s Log – Early Morning, Anchored at Saint Pierre, Martinique Read More »
Date: June 10, 2024Day’s run: 35nmCoordinates: 15°17.3’N, 061°22.7’W – Anchored at Roseau, DominicaWeather: 85°F Fresh NE wind Remarks: We had one of the best sailing days ever crossing the passage between Martinique and Dominica. Light winds in the lee of Mount Peleé gave way to a perfect sailing breeze filling in around the northern tip of
Date: June 9, 2024Coordinates: 14°44.5’N, 061°10.6’W – Anchored at Saint Pierre, MartiniqueWeather: 88°F sunny, light winds from the eastWater: 83°F Remarks: Another clear dry work day under the shadow of Mount Peleé, Martinique – its summit capped with a smooth lenticular cloud typical of high peaks of land. By 10 o’clock the sun is already roasting
Date: June 7, 2024Coordinates: 14°44.5’N, 061°10.6’W – Anchored at Saint Pierre, MartiniqueWeather: 91°F sunny, light winds from the eastWater: 83°F Remarks: It’s a hot day today. The 4-8 watch handles the deck well, while the 8-12 and 12-4 shifts explore the wonders of Martinique. Onboard, Line, Liam, Bruce, and Dee are painting the topsides. Ollie and Edmund
After 25,000 miles, mostly deep sea, on this voyage it is something of a novel thing for the crew of the Picton Castle to be sailing among these wonderful eastern Caribbean islands. Sailing on and off the hook, experiencing close quarters sailing, lees, wind shifts, sail trim, squalls, inter-island traffic, yachts, delightful friendly ports -it’s
Date: June 6, 2024Position: 14°44.5’N / 061°10.6’W – At Anchor in Saint Pierre, MartiniqueDays run: 104nmWeather: 90°F, sunny. Moderate E’ly breezeWater: 83°F Remarks: The sky was clear and the stars dazzlingly bright throughout the passage overnight. The lights of St. Lucia came and went and Martinique appeared on the horizon after sunrise. We had a good
Date: June 5, 2024Position: 13°00.5’N / 061°14.6’W – At Anchor in Admiralty Bay, Bequia, St. Vincent and the GrenadinesWeather: 84°F, partly cloudyWater: 82°F Remarks: At Bequia the morning was spent stowing for sea. The Captain cleared out ashore and we loosed all sail. With the fore yards braced up on a starboard tack, the anchor was
