looking out at Reef Song (and Mustang Sally - we missed saying hi, maybe tonight) from the beach at Leverick bay, this is one amazing place. Here is our trip report... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Monday evening we pick up RS off the dock and headed to Sopers Tuesday am. Picked up a mooring and had dinner ashore. Provisioned at the Harbor Market and cleared out of customs for the USVI, updating our Import Duty forms. Sailed to Caneel Bay and picked up a mooring. Dinked to the ferry dock in Cruz Bay and cleared into the USVI at the customs house. Provisioned some more at the Star Market and dinked to the boat. Picked up strong Internet and worked Wed/Thurs on the boat or in various creative hot spots in Cruz Bay. Friday motored to American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook St. Thomas. Wonderful facility, very helpful manager Mike. Picked up a car and (after a few mis steps) found the broker for the new Outboard. Had to take paperwork to USVI IRS (clerk smiled and waved me off without a fee). Next stop US Customs. A few more stamps and the big box and I headed to the Tutti Mall for oil and supplies. Had much help getting the box out of the rental focus wagon and stashed next to the marine office. Headed back to the airport and picked up 3 friends. Dropped them at the boat and returned the rental.

Saturday sailed to Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke. 20-25 kots, seas 7-9'. Nice sail over. Getting ready to come in, attempted to start the motor, nothing. Engine is not turning over. Giving the wheel to our sailing guest, we tried to figure out what was happening. After many phone calls we determined we had a starter/solenoid issue. Decided to try and get help to get a mooring and get the boat settled down before repairing. After many phone calls and radio calls, one lone savior came out and towed us to the mooring. Once the crew had a beer and started to settle down (it was rather stressful) a phone call to Conch was the trick. Peter walked me through a process of overiding the signal and the solenoid engaged the starter and we were good. I subsequently determined the signal wire to the solenoid was very loose and tightened. Works fine now.

Spent the rest of the day clearing in to the BVI's and drinks on the beach. The next day installed the new outboard with no issues, off to Foxy Taboo for the Bubbly Pool. Lovely time. Left JVD for Norman Island. As we rounded the turn and on a close haul with reefed sails, the tag line of the day was 7.8 in the Sir Francis Drake, I quick sail! Lovely beach time, hike and the Willy T stop. Next day, snorkel on the Wreck of the Rhone and a stop at Cooper. Celebrated good friends on the beach.

A quick motor to Road Town and got the passengers to the Ferry Dock. Picked up the National Parks Permit and a few supplies and we were off to Sopers. High Speed Wireless allowed us to work for Wed pm/Thurs/Friday. Friday night the engine controls failed and as we were charging at 1500 rpm's the gear slipped into forward gear slightly. We spun on our mooring and picked up another boats mooring ball on the shaft. After a sleepless night I went looking for a diver, and talking to the dive shop found one (Me!). I rented gear and dove, cutting away the ball and unwrapping the mooring line relieved it was not a tight bind.

We worked our way thru the engine control issue, I traced the issue to a jammed shifting cable. Unhooking the linkage, we were able to engage the gears manually at the engine. Mary Ellen slipped the mooring and we found forward gear and we motored to our mooring in Leverick Bay. Celebrating ME's birthday with a drink at Saba Rock we began to pack.

Today, Sunday is laundry and cleaning day. We had a rain check room at the resort, Monica let us use it today. We are pool side with a clean boat and cold beer. Tomorrow I will get a ride to secure the dink and we are on the 11:45am ferry to Trellis Bay, then EIS, SJU, MIA - BOS!