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S/V ORION revisited 2 #215072
01/21/2020 05:59 PM
01/21/2020 05:59 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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BEERMAN Offline OP
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BEERMAN  Offline OP
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
If anyone (Ratmanswife?) has updated pics of similar shots I'd appreciate seeing the current conditions of things, thanks!


BVI July 31 - August 9, 2017 (Part 2)

We slept like babies after our travel day. I woke at 0530hr on this fine Tuesday, rubbed my eyes pulling the curtain back and saw it was just getting light. I eased out of the berth, trying not to wake my wife. Took a slow cautious walk to the head, minding my head at every turn. I'm 6-1 and Craig is 6-2, neither of us had an issue with head room on this open Lagoon 400. The only 6 foot opening are the doors to the heads, but that only got me twice I think, ha!

The first morning on a new boat is always enjoyable for me, surveying every nook and cranny, checking lines, turning on nav equipment, looking under floor boards and under the hood of each diesel etc. S/V Orion is a very clean and dry boat and everything was in pristine condition. I walked to the marina showers around 0630 and Joyce was already arriving to work, she must put in a 10 hour work day! Marina bathrooms were very clean. Around 0730 the rest of the crew were starting to mill around and Joyce arrived at the boat as she promised, a tray of fresh coffee and a small flower arrangement for us...she's awesome!!



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TMM staffer Giovanni stopped by and asked when we would like our briefing. He was very knowledgeable and thorough even though this friendly Italian has only been in the BVI's for a couple of months. Orion is set up nicely with 2 nav stations, we found the one at the helm needed to be recalibrated so engineer Rory quickly responded to square that away. We tested everything on the boat, switched from shore power to genset and back to shore power to refresh my memory of the sequence! Donna was instructed on the windlass and we found the bridal was wrapped around the anchor and rode and had to be rerouted. I have read reports/comments where some charterers dislike a thorough briefing, but I for one appreciate going over everything to avoid issues once underway. The crew went back to the mini- Riteway for a few things as I completed some paperwork in the office. It's nice having that store just a short 2 minute walk from the docks.

We were already in "island time" mode, even our flip flop strides began slowing to half speed, love that! Giovanni had to check on me twice asking when we wanted to shove off, I think it was around 1130hr before the crew was ready to release the dock lines. Our team took their positions to retrieve the lines and I made a smooth departure from the slip. It felt good to be at the helm again.

Donna put together an itinerary, but it was pretty loose, all we knew was that we wanted to visit St John over the weekend. Topping off the water before heading to St John was the only priority in my mind, oh and the beer! Crew was reminded to conserve boat water, I drank beer in lieu of water to help conserve! Overall we did very good with our 158 gallon capacity, using on average 40 gallons per day, everyone did shower each evening, that's a good thing! The seas were probably 4 foot this day with a bit of a chop motoring straight up wind towards Marina Cay. Our daughter had us groov'in to our favorite tunes quickly via bluetooth. There weren't many boats on the water at noon, so I figured the anchorages would be sleepy. However, when we approached Marina Cay it looked like everyone and their brother decided to be there this day, we took a ball at the back of the field, first try might I add! Good crew!!



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Looking at my photos, both on my phone and 2 cameras on board apparently we collectively took only one photo until our feet touched land, I think that means we were having a good time! We lowered the dinghy from the davits and with one pull she fired up and off we went. We headed over to Great Camanoe to take photos of a friends property, we have never been on this private island. All I can say is what a property and what a view! They have a great 180 degree view from their property and on a clearer day I'm sure we would have seen Anegada. The next series of photos are all from Great Camanoe, thanks for the invite!.



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After a leisurely walk about we dinged over to Marina Cay to see what we could see. Sign at the dock says Live music at the Robb White Happy Arrr Bar, cool!! A quick walk through of the store was required and I enjoyed the a/c! The ladies who run it were very nice as usual.



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I think one of the draws for us to Marina Cay is the love story of Robb and Rodie White. First a beer at Pussers Restaurant then we'll walk up the hill to the Whites original house. I try to stay positive in my trip reports...but honestly...the last few times we've been to this particular restaurant I felt that we were really a bother, if not a nuisance for the staff. Yes, we approached with a smile and a pleasant "good afternoon, how are you?" nothing, just a stare from the bartender and a waitress sitting at the bar. I asked for a Presidente, which I got without a word and asked Craig to see what the ladies wanted, they were 10 feet away admiring all of the great photos on display showing the history of the cay. We were the only ones in the bar when I noticed the bartender look at the waitress and shake his head in a peculiar way, looking at me the waitress rolled her eyes and shook her head in the same peculiar way, then they both walked away and didn't return for 10 minutes, hmmm did I forget to put on pants or rub in the lotion on my face or what!! haha! My wife just said she enjoyed it there, to each their own! We grabbed one drink and spent very little time here. FYI, this was the only negative encounter the entire trip, oh except for the future C&I conversation to come...



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Crew did enjoy a little island hockey on the beach there though!! This was a great game, I plan to build one at our cabin! Walking the property up to the original house the White's built I let my mind wander back to the 1930's, imagining what life for them must have been like...



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As we climbed to the summit amongst the beautiful landscaping we could hear the music and laughter, place must be packed!! Once in the bar I was surprised to find only one large family having a really great time, shots anyone?! In between drinks we walked around the old homestead and Donna browsed the book swap shelf where Robb and Rodie probably stored some provisions, cool.



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After a couple drinks we wandered back down the trail at sunset, it was a beautifully colorful and breezy evening. Back on Orion we started preparing our dinner, but first lets fire up the genset...I said lets fire up the genset....I said....uh oh! The unit would start and purred like a kitten for only a couple minutes at a time. The unit was showing a single yellow flash which was signaling an overheating issue. I figured the choppy conditions caused it to lose its prime and tried priming it several times. It was after hours for TMM so fortunately with the boats wifi I sent a text to Orions owner Mark, which he immediately responded to. We tried a few things that didn't work and I was hesitant to remove the generators cover to explore, plus the generator is fit snuggly under the cockpit table. I told Mark no biggie it was a really comfortable breezy night and the air flow through the Lagoon was great with all the doors and hatches open. Mark texted later that he was able to contact TMM and they would call me first thing in the morning, thanks Mark!! Dinner and a drink anyone?!



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To be continued...Cheers!


Last edited by BEERMAN; 01/21/2020 06:34 PM.
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Re: S/V ORION revisited 2 [Re: BEERMAN] #215082
01/21/2020 07:08 PM
01/21/2020 07:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 160
Billings, MT
harleybuffett Offline
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harleybuffett  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 160
Billings, MT
Where have you been BEERMAN? I've really missed your trip reports!

Re: S/V ORION revisited 2 [Re: harleybuffett] #215096
01/21/2020 08:12 PM
01/21/2020 08:12 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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BEERMAN Offline OP
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BEERMAN  Offline OP
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
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harleybuffett I've been here, where you been??? do you look at the other forums on TTOL? we posted about Alaska, France and even a weekend in DC this year! We have not returned to the islands since this report, but we are going to make it happen this summer!!!! Hope all's well, Cheers!!!!

Re: S/V ORION revisited 2 [Re: BEERMAN] #215336
01/23/2020 06:00 PM
01/23/2020 06:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 160
Billings, MT
harleybuffett Offline
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harleybuffett  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 160
Billings, MT
Originally Posted by BEERMAN
harleybuffett I've been here, where you been??? do you look at the other forums on TTOL? we posted about Alaska, France and even a weekend in DC this year! We have not returned to the islands since this report, but we are going to make it happen this summer!!!! Hope all's well, Cheers!!!!


Ahhhhhhh...that makes sense, I only read tropical forums smile


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