Sint Maartin to Guadeloupe

Hi everyone,

On Tuesday we departed Sint Maartin for Guadeloupe.  We had a decent weather window promising ENE winds from Tuesday evening until after our arrival.  We left a little earlier on Tuesday morning than expected to escape rolly Simpson Bay.

Le Pelican Gift Shop and Clearance Agent

Here's our track and graphs..

Track

Arrival Track

Graphs

Here are the vital stats for the passage…

    • Distances/Speeds

        • Route Distance = 129nm

        • Logged Distance = 141nm

        • GPS Distance = 133nm

        • Duration = 31h

        • Average boat speed = 4.5 kt

        • Average speed over ground = 4.4 kt

        • Minimum boat speed = 3 kt

        • Maximum boat speed = 7.5 kt

    • Weather

        • Minimum wind speed = 4 kt

        • Average wind speed = 15 kt

        • Maximum wind speed = gusts to 29 kt

        • Apparent wind angle range = 20 to 100

        • Seas up to 1.5m

        • Swell up to 1m

        • Fine on Tuesday, squally with a few showers on Wednesday.

    • Engine

        • Total = 12h

Tuesday was a day of motoring into a light ESE breeze.  This allowed to stay NE of St Kitts and Nevis.  Heading 'towards' the approaching ENE wind worked well and as the wind backed we set sail.  We had a lovely fetch (just cracked off the wind a little) under a starry moonless sky overnight.

On Wednesday morning several squalls passed close by.  We didn't get their rain but did catch their 30 knot winds which veered the wind to the S.  One knocked us so far around we tacked E briefly - visible on the track above.  After they passed we had a fast beam reach home to Deshaies.

Guadeloupe Ahoy!

Entering Anse Deshaies

True to form we arrived in Deshaies in a gusty rain shower.  The anchor dragged first time but happily bit at the next attempt.  The NE wind funnels through a saddle in the hills making the anchorage a good test of your anchor.  After a gusty night we're now confident our Manson Supreme is well buried.

This morning we went ashore to clear in.  There's a clearance agent at Le Pelican gift shop, about 150m east of the dinghy dock.  Photo at top of blog.  Don't hit the Print button until the lady has checked the form - she doesn't like wasting paper!!!

Dinghy dock under the red & white awning

Deshaies main street

Deshaies Waterfront

Love Caribbean street art!

Deshaies is a lovely little town with very friendly folk.  We're looking forward to getting to know it better and to exploring the hinterland over the next few days.

A coffee and a view

Trust all's well where you are!