Staging
In Van Sant’s The Gentleman’s Guide to Passages South, he writes the following about “staging” before a large passage:
You can shorten every leg on the way south by several hours in time, and a bucket of adrenaline, by one simple practice: stage to a departure anchorage the day before leaving.
The concept is that on the day before you plan to really depart, you move your boat to an anchorage closer to the sea*, clean your anchor rode, have your dinghy on deck and the boat ship shape and ready to go. When the time comes to leave the next day, getting underway is then a quick and simple procedure.
*In Georgetown he suggests staging at the Fowl Cay exit which he says will “get us four miles ahead of the game.” I’m not sure about that distance but we plan to heed his advice and move there Monday.
To further prepare for leaving, I donned fins, mask and snorkel yesterday and finished cleaning the bottom of our boat. The only place where there was any significant growth was on the very bottom of the keels where I assume we have scraped off any anti-fouling paint by running aground (back in Deltaville). I also scrubbed the anchor rode and anchor bridle clean. Because we have sat in the same place for just over a month, there was growth on the rode that drapes from the boat to the bottom. The heavy chain lies right on the bottom much of the time (unless there are very strong winds) so it tends to clean itself by rubbing on the sand. I took our friend Jeff’s advice and let out an additional 20′ of rode so that the formerly grass-covered chain would have a chance to clean itself too.
Today, following the morning radio net, we plan to move ZTC from the Gaviota Bay anchorage over to Kidd Cove. From there we’ll be in a better position to top up on water and fuel, re-provision and we’ll also be closer to where the variety show is taking place this evening.
Good luck on your new travels. Will be looking forward new pics from your next destination.
Thanks Mark.
Sounds like you’ve got all your ducks in a row. You’ve taken Van Sant’s excellent advice about staging. Last time we were in G’town we wanted to follow the Gentleman’s Guide – but a boat problem (mysteriously clogging secondary fuel filter…long story) prevented us from proceeding and we limped back to the States. (Nobody was able to solve our problem for several months – and it turned out to be a simple – and free – fix.)
Maybe next time we can follow in your wake.
Fair winds and gentle seas to you. Be prudent and safety conscious. There are a lot of people enjoying your blog and we want it to continue.
Cap’n Larry and Saltwater Suzi
Hi Larry and Suzi
Thanks very much. You now have me curious about the fuel issue you experienced. 🙂
Hey Mike
Watch for pirates eh!! LOL Have fun you two and here’s to a safe voyage.
Hi Richard. Perhaps the pirates should watch out for us. 😉
Kerry (wife) and I follow your adventure with interest. We have much in common with you guys, but are almost retirement age. Our zero to cruising path has started and staging has been undertaken on the Columbia River in Portland Oregon. Best wishes and look for a little donation to your kitty from time to time.
Fair winds and calm seas.
Hi Ken and Kerry
Thanks very much for the comment! Beginning on the west coast certainly would give you a very different experience. Are you familiar with Livia and Carol’s blog:
http://thegiddyupplan.blogspot.com/
They are on the west coast too.
Thanks for the tip, we will check them out as we were unaware of their site.
FWACS
Wish you guys all the best on your next leg of adventure. The only advice I’d share is set yourselves in a frame of mind that you’ll have a lot of beating to windward ahead of you. All the islands and stops will be beautiful, of that there should be no doubt but at the same time you should expect very few downwind sails. You’ll get there, you guys are tough and the payoff once you pass Antigua is beam reach sailing at it’s finest.
Fair Winds, ZTC!
Will you be stopping in Long Island?
Mike
Unless we get smashed leaving GT, I think we’ll be heading straight to Conception. If it’s too rough we’ll duck into the north end of Long Island.
We see their have been 8 editions of the book a gents, passage south, what one have you got as i see it has ring binders ? is it water proof ?have save trip & hope your emails will keep coming, Fair Winds & safe Passage
Hi guys
We have the 9th edition. Not, it is not waterproof.
Hopefully we can scrounge up wifi access after we leave GT.
Have you met Scott and Brittany on Rasmus? They are planning to leave GT soon for parts south too. Young couple on a monohull. Here’s their website:
http://windtraveler.blogspot.com
Fair winds and safe travels. Enjoying your blog and wishing we were back there this year. Maybe next!
Hi Pat
Yes, we have met Brittany and Scott. They’re a cool couple. I’m sure we’ll run into them again.
I think the other advantage to staging is the mental one–separating oneself from new friends, and getting the mind back in sailing mode. Fair winds and calm seas to you. Beautiful pictures, and I hope you will be able to stay in touch.
Good thinking.