Roatan, Honduras
I am beginning to see a pattern with sailboat cruising, you about as likely to end up at your planned destinatin as you are some alternate place you may or may not have considered as a backup.
This time we were headed for Cayo Vivarillo from Isla Mujeres. We headed east about 30 miles to get out of the effects of the fast moving north Yucatan channel current. Then we turned south by southeast to try and make it to Vivorillo, a deserted dry reef off the horn of Honduras on one tack. We were pinching a bit (headed a little too into the wind) so we had to motor. Unfortunately the engines kept shutting off. So I had to go time and time again into the engine compartment to change filters and bleed the fuel lines before getting the engine started up again. Guess having 18 month old diesel will do that to an engine. Eventually we started seeing better fuel but it took awhile. In the meantime another problem showed itself. Our alternators and generator weren't charging the batteries.
Having charged batteries on a boat is important because they power the starter for the engine and the generator, the navigation lights so other boats can see us at night, and our navigation equipment so we can see other boats (and land) at night. Luckily we had a 30yr old battery charger we could plug into an outlet, however if this went out we would be stuck in a bad position. So the decision to turn towards Roatan, almost due south, and go under sail power was agreed on.
We flew! Hitting 7+ knots just under sail power was more than I imagined for this big old boat. We had the wind right over our port beam and we knew another couple of nights and we would be in Roatan. Some jumping Mahi Mahi and bowriding dolphins guided us toward the island on the last morning.
It was a bit dicey getting into the anchorage but we found a good one behind an exposed reef on the south shore near the town of French Harbor. We are next to an all inclusive dive resort called Fantasy Island. So we have been making the best of our stay by going there, renting tanks, and taking the dinghy out on incredible wall dives just on the other side of the exposed reef, hanging out with sea turtles, queen angelfish, spotted drums, tons of parrot fish, and my favorite indigo hamlets.
We also took a tour around the island checking out the towns of French Harbor and Coxen Hole and the touristy West End. The views are incredible from the hills on the island. There is fringing reef everywhere.
Its amazing to think that 60,000 people live on an island that is 30 miles by 2 miles wide. And most of it is uninhabitable mangroves and steep hillsides. The locals are nice and we usually get one a day coming by the boat selling freshly caught seafood.
We are currently waiting for an electrician to check out the battery charging issue and then it looks like a bumpy ride into the wind due east to Cayo Vivarillo. Here's hopin'
This time we were headed for Cayo Vivarillo from Isla Mujeres. We headed east about 30 miles to get out of the effects of the fast moving north Yucatan channel current. Then we turned south by southeast to try and make it to Vivorillo, a deserted dry reef off the horn of Honduras on one tack. We were pinching a bit (headed a little too into the wind) so we had to motor. Unfortunately the engines kept shutting off. So I had to go time and time again into the engine compartment to change filters and bleed the fuel lines before getting the engine started up again. Guess having 18 month old diesel will do that to an engine. Eventually we started seeing better fuel but it took awhile. In the meantime another problem showed itself. Our alternators and generator weren't charging the batteries.
Having charged batteries on a boat is important because they power the starter for the engine and the generator, the navigation lights so other boats can see us at night, and our navigation equipment so we can see other boats (and land) at night. Luckily we had a 30yr old battery charger we could plug into an outlet, however if this went out we would be stuck in a bad position. So the decision to turn towards Roatan, almost due south, and go under sail power was agreed on.
We flew! Hitting 7+ knots just under sail power was more than I imagined for this big old boat. We had the wind right over our port beam and we knew another couple of nights and we would be in Roatan. Some jumping Mahi Mahi and bowriding dolphins guided us toward the island on the last morning.
It was a bit dicey getting into the anchorage but we found a good one behind an exposed reef on the south shore near the town of French Harbor. We are next to an all inclusive dive resort called Fantasy Island. So we have been making the best of our stay by going there, renting tanks, and taking the dinghy out on incredible wall dives just on the other side of the exposed reef, hanging out with sea turtles, queen angelfish, spotted drums, tons of parrot fish, and my favorite indigo hamlets.
We also took a tour around the island checking out the towns of French Harbor and Coxen Hole and the touristy West End. The views are incredible from the hills on the island. There is fringing reef everywhere.
Its amazing to think that 60,000 people live on an island that is 30 miles by 2 miles wide. And most of it is uninhabitable mangroves and steep hillsides. The locals are nice and we usually get one a day coming by the boat selling freshly caught seafood.
We are currently waiting for an electrician to check out the battery charging issue and then it looks like a bumpy ride into the wind due east to Cayo Vivarillo. Here's hopin'
Dai Mar can we get some photos posted or emailed to us!!?
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