We have been in Le Marin, Martinique since our last update–at least mostly!

When we first arrived, the dock was full of boats that were full of people we knew. Lots of socializing and many sea stories were traded.

The weather has been consistent to the point of boredom. About 90ºF during the day, and high 70’s at night. Other than one day of rain, it is partly or mostly cloudy. The biggest topic of discussion locally about weather is the large amount of dust in the air blown up off the Sahara Dessert and across the ocean. Parts of our boat are liberally sprinkled with rich orange dust from 3,000 miles away.

While here we have scheduled a couple deliveries. Week last we finished moving a boat from Fort Lauderdale to Deltaville, VA, and next week we will be moving another boat from St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands to here in Martinique.

Generally, we don’t post much about deliveries, that is more the prerogative of the client. But here is a quick example of the perils of being a delivery skipper. The boat had two ways of keeping the batteries charged. The alternator on the main engine, which we already knew had “issues.” In addition there was a diesel powered generator, which had been working well in the weeks leading up to the delivery. Unfortunately, the first time we needed it, the engine on the generator started and ran, but only at idle speed, insufficient to generate any usable power.

It turns out the throttle linkage was broken. It’s not often I get to make a temporary repair on a boat with baling wire, but in this case it got us to our destination.

When we returned from the delivery that ended in Virginia, all of the people we know back in Le Marin had scattered in various directions on the ocean. It seems strange to be here “alone.”

Harmonie Visits the Boat Spa

Harmonie has been getting a lot of work done by the staff of the local Amel service center. Some of the projects are significant routine service that we did not have the time or tools to do, some of them are upgrades and cosmetic improvements. The Amel staff does exceptionally good work, they know these boats better than anybody, with the possible exception of the factory in La Rochelle, France. They are about the only crew I would ever turn over major mechanical work to, and then leave the boat with them while we went off on a delivery.

I know we have said it before, but if you own an Amel and it is even remotely possible, you need to get the boat here and have Alban and his crew give it a good going over. Their labor rates are reasonable, they have the parts they need, and they do an excellent job. Just as an example, Karen asked them if they have the little rubber feet that support the wood shower grates up off the fiberglass floor in the head. The reply was, “Sure, how many do you need?”

All that, AND the price for space at the marina is also one of the lowest we have paid anywhere in the Caribbean, or the East Coast of the USA. Costs of supplies and food are reasonable, and the best selection of boat supplies in the Caribbean, outside of Sint Maartin. The down side is that there are three chandleries within walking distance from the dock, and somehow they all seem to carry (mostly) different things. Sometimes you just have to visit them all to find exactly what you are looking for.

What’s Next?

As soon as we finish the next delivery we will begin serious preparations for moving north. Karen has a number of places she really wants to stop in the Bahamas that we skipped on the way down to take advantage of favorable weather.

Our first stop back in the US will likely be Brunswick, GA. We have some clients there with a work list that will keep me busy for a few weeks, then we will probably head further north to avoid the heat of the southern summer.