Fifth Leg

Finally, the calculations for our very long Season 2024-2025 are done.  

Always chores...

End of Season:  Our figures for 2024-25 from the LOG came in as follows:

From: Chaguaramas, Trinidad Lat/Long: 10:40.993N 61:38.029W  Date/Time: 10/04/24: 2230

To: Deltaville, Chesapeake Bay USA Lat/Long: 37:33.621N 76:19.279W  Date/Time: 4/04/25: 1200

Time Taken: (this year): 514.5 hrs (at sea)  Distance: (this year): 3086nm

Distance Total: (since 2008): 31,368nm  

Weather: El Niño (increased rainfall & reduced hurricane activity) ended in 2024, ushering La Niña conditions (drier conditions, colder winters, and increased hurricane activity).  So, we found ourselves not far enough away from record-breaking Beryl.  La Niña lived up to expectations and after a 4½ month hiatus in St Lucia waiting out the end of hurricane season, we juggled local weather conditions, not quite to “tropical paradise” standard, with a definite need to keep moving.  This year, we splurged on adding Starlink to WJ3’s now impressive collection of antennas, so we had internet connection and therefore weather reports in all but the most isolated anchorages.  It would have been handier had both our computers not decided to give up the ghost during this trip.  We are still blaming Beryl!

Fastest Speed:  We moved at a reasonably consistent speed, found the shortest route, then used both sail and motor.  The aim was to travel about 50 miles per day, leave early and be anchored or docked for “sundowners”.  We were able to reduce our long overnighters to two - (Puerto Rico to Turks Caicos) in 3 days & Turks Caicos to George Town, Bahamas in 2), which greatly boosted crew morale.  In all, over the total distance covered, we maintained an average speed of 5.9mph.  And for the record, there is no plan at all to upgrade to a faster catamaran or a sleeker hot water boat.  (Although after dreadful travel days, we did toy with the idea!)

Conditions: As this cruise took us on our fifth leg of the Caribbean, chances are we will not attempt it again.  It’s not a difficult run and can be managed over a series of mostly, one day sails.  The only real exception is the 3-4 day crossing between Turks & Caicos and the Virgins.  This time though, we tried something different.  After skimming T&C’s east coast, we headed south for Puerto Rico. Once there, with the Trades howling and a strong Gulf Stream running, it was a sensible choice to follow the coast west! On reaching the Mona Passage, we ducked around the corner making a B line for Puerto Real - hoping to make it before the morning Trades kicked back in!  Naturally, it didn’t quite go to plan. Does it ever?  Still, we did learn that heading east means bashing into the Trades and timing is everything.  Seeing the south coast was well worth the effort though! 

BTW, the fifth leg is a fifth mast on a schooner – the sailboat variety, not a glass of beer!  Cheers, and we’ll see you on the Chesapeake in May 2026.