Tied up in the tiny harbor basin in Matthewtown, Inagua was this wooden hulled sailboat, with an interesting story. It comes here from Haiti to trade. I am guessing it is not at all an accident that they are here while the store’s shelves are bare several weeks after a supply boat run. They bring bananas and mangoes from Haiti and sell them here.
According to the locals there are only four mango tres on the island, and none of them are reliable fruiters, so the market is here for the tasty tropical fruit.
The boat appears to be well cared for, but in a very rustic way. Looking closer at the rigging, we see that the mast and other spars are, well, sticks fresh from the tree. The bark stripped off, a coat of paint applied, and off they go… The boat’s bilge pump is made of wood, and worked by pulling on a rope.
It’s rough and tumble way of making a few honest dollars, but these days a few dollars probably goes a long way in Haiti.
fetchinketch 
I have seen Haitian boats with sails made from old billboard printed plastic, and always superbly well handled, docking or anchoring under sail. Respect.
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I have seen Haitian boats with sails made from old billboard printed plastic, and always superbly well handled, docking or anchoring under sail. Respect.
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I have seen Haitian boats with sails made from old billboard printed plastic, and always superbly well handled, docking or anchoring under sail. Respect.
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Bill,
Yep, that sounds like a boat that has been built for a long time. What worked 200 years ago can still work today. For us coming across something like this is part of what makes cruising fun and interesting. I hope that you are having a great time. Best J&J
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