Martinique, April 20, 2022
Leaving Marin Marina today to begin the voyage of personal discovery aboard Galini. A long time in coming, a moment to be savored. A solid two months of work since I purchased the boat on Feb 10, 2022. Rigging, engine, water heater, AC, plumbing, numerous other jobs all to be ready for the start of many passages to come. Hopeful; I am filled with gratitude and joy. Wishing my father could be here for this, thanking all those that have tolerated my passion for the dream. The cruising dream. The searching dream. The seeking of peace and serenity through adventures at sea and in new lands, with new faces, in new eyes of those whose grace I can only accept and try to emulate.
My good friends and experienced sailors Ken and Sandra came in from California to help with the first leg of the trip. Destination: Montego Bay, Jamaica with a few as yet unplanned stops along the way. We left early, around 08:30. Beautiful weather. A smattering of clouds in a warm blue horizon. Through the channel of Marin Harbor and tested the various points of sail on this new boat, with new electric furlers, and new secrets of performance we could only begin to uncover. Tacked to starboard and the electric primary failed for the genoa sheet. Motor worked, but did not engage the winch rotor. The loads are big on these sails, so decided to head back to the marina for repair. Auspicious beginnings, if you know what I mean.
Martinique, April 21, 2022
Winch repaired: take two for the start to our journey. Galini is beaming with refurbished style. I am proud of her, as a sense of serenity is encapsulated in the moment. Real. Salient. Necessary.
Out the channel again, with renewed confidence and we experiment with jib and jigger setups. Staysail and mizzen first in 26 kts of wind. With high satisfaction, we found that Galini can point fairly well for a heavy boat (40,000 lbs); up to 45 deg off the wind with 6.5 knots of boat speed, and keep her nicely balanced. Out with the genoa too, boat speed increased, but no increase in pointing angle. Then, we gybed and kept a broad reach as we bore away from St. Anne point and headed toward our first destination, Grand Arnes, just three hours away. Galini loves this point of sail and easily held 8 – 9 knots in 25knts of wind.
A few hours before dark, we anchored in 10m of water in a lovely cove.We dove the anchor, water was excellent. Sandra seared a nice flank steak (garlic and olive oil) accompanied by zuccini/mushroom/onion saute mix that was delightful . After dinner we realized that the battery bank was not charging. Further inspection into the problem led to a call to our Amel consultant who confirmed that the batteries were not charging even with the generator cranking for a few hours. We turned off everything except the fridge and freezers and slept.
April 22, 2022
At daybreak the next morning, we had final confirmation. Batteries were shot. The next decision did not take long. Making a 2500 nm trip with sketchy power supply did not appeal to any of us. You guessed it. Back to Marin to replace the battery bank. As we entered the harbour and hailed the marina, the familiar voice must have been amused at our second return in as many days, but nothing was said. The people here in Martinique are unassuming and real. This too is a lesson in humility. Galini was telling me she was not ready yet; that I was not ready yet.
I had to stand off in the harbor for a bit as the staff darted about in their dingies attending other customers into their slips. After awhile we were given clearance to dock at the end of the pier and slipped in stern-to on the starboard side so it would be easier to load and unload the batteries. Twelve in all, Where the battery bank is laid out in 6 12v pairs to provided 24v at 750 AHr. The job did’nt take long as we all worked together to get Galini new power.
April 23, 2022
Again at daybreak we are off. Lovely morning with a 17knt easterly breeze. Clear the channel, set the genoa and main; but the main jams in the mast slot. We get some sea room and spend a fair amount of time furl/unfurl to get the main out and unjammed. Successful: finally fully out. Bring the main back in to achieve a tight furl and on quarter in: Crack! The furling foil snapped at the base with the sail 3/4 out. The entire foil broke through and shifted off the motor coupling. No worries: slack the halyard and bring the main sail down by hand then lash it to the boom. You guessed it, back to Marin for yet another repair. As we motor in, it is only 9:30 am and I call Philippe at Caraibe Marine. He agrees to meet me at the dock to assess and see what the repair will be like. As I hail the marina, a familiar voice from the harbor office responds: Oh Galini, what broke this time? We all have a good laugh and secure our old slip yet again.
Philippe helps us determine the fix is pretty simple and we get to work. He sends a rigger to help to cut the lower inch or so off the foil and insert an Amel foil repair aluminum post in the back edge of the foil for added strength. Drill new holes and good as new, maybe better. We will see. Next morning, off again, but this time in pooring rain. Outside the harbor and a few miles off the coast, the weather clears and we finally leave Marin behind for the last time.
