Our Boat's Name

We've named our boat "Bangarang."  It's what the Lost Boys in the movie Hook shouted during their imaginary food fight. It's also a Jamaican expression for "have a good time" or "jump up." And we are in the Caribbean after all. We love the Hook movie and liked the celebration aspect of "Bangarang." 

We haven't placed the new name physically on the boat yet. The seller registered it in France and part of the closing included a transfer of registration. Until we get that transfer paper, which should be within the next two weeks, we can't reregister it. Once we have our US federal registration, we can legally place the name on the boat (actually, it's a requirement.)

Some people believe it's bad luck to rename a boat; others believe that you should always rename a boat to make it yours. Once we rename ours, we'll have a christening celebration. Bangarang!

The Big List

A few of you have wondered how we might fill our time while living on Bangarang. I loved my volunteer work back in Chicago and, long-term, I think I'll find volunteer opportunities as we travel from place to place. We aren't sailing every day, or even every week, and our intent is to stay long enough on each island we visit to enjoy the sights and experience the culture. But in the meantime, we have plenty to fill our days here on the boat itself. We have a very long list of to-dos, even though Bangarang is in excellent condition. Just like a house, there are always things to fix, maintain and change.

Our list is extensive (and we've already crossed several items off the list).  In no particular order:

Clean out all shower strainers (yuk)
Hang fire extinguishers
Check both engines' oil
Purchase tiller extension for dinghy
Razor silicone edges from new faucets in bathrooms
Clean out all lazerettes (boat lingo for storage units)
Research lighting issue on starboard master suite (a challenge!)
Replace dinghy chain bucket
Replace outdated flares
Wash window screens
Research why third wate tank resists filling 100% (overflow issue)
Replace light over galley sink
Wash forepeak bunk mattress covers and walls
Replace the freezer which currently only works as a fridge (new freezer or ice maker or keep)
Refit the DVD/CD/stereo cabinet to hold wine bottles
Install 3 fans in berths
Replace two propellers with feathering props ($$$)
Order new upholstery/pads for the lido deck
Figure out improved dinghy option for ease of use and reliability  - long-term/low priority

In addition, we scheduled Bangarang to be hauled out of the water on the 23rd to have its bottom stripped and painted, service the engines, and clean and polish the entire exterior.

Whew. See? Just like owning a house!

Luckily, we are in Martinique which is a huge hub for boats in general and our broker here has helped us a lot by recommending resources.

I miss the Village Treasure House, First Presbyterian in Wilmette, Family Promise, and all our friends and family!

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." W. A. Ward

Wild Ride Back from St Lucia

We had a wild ride back to Martinique from St Lucia. A good test of helmsmen and crew. Wind blew 25-30 knots and waves were 10-16 feet high. Generally, we would not choose to sail with those conditions because it's just too hard and makes for an uncomfortable sail. But our friends had to fly home out of Martinique the next day, so off we went! We had only one seasick guest and a very nervous dog who had to be held almost the whole time because of all the noise. Luckily our trip only lasted 4 hours. Our almost 50 foot catamaran is made for ocean crossing and has crossed the Atlantic, and our boat did very well on this trip. I have to admit, it was fun!

New Year's Day Dinner in Rodney Bay

We had an excellent dinner at a Thai restaurant in Rodney Bay last night. We tried three different kinds of curry, Caribbean-style. Many of you may express concern over the color of our skin, but I assure you that it's the lighting in the photo. It was dark in the restaurant and nighttime. We ARE using sunscreen! Happy 2015!

The Fruit and Veggie Man in Rodney Bay

I apologize for the poor quality of this photo, but I took it very quickly to catch the crazy looking boat as it passed us. This local man decorates his boat with all kinds of stuff plus sometimes various countries' flags. He goes from boat to boat selling freshly picked veggies and fruit. These guys are characters and it's always fun to talk with them!

Another Rainbow

You may not be able to see it in my photo, but there is a huge rainbow starting off the bow of this cruise ship pulling into Soufriere. This is the fourth rainbow we've seen since we came down to the Caribbean on Dec 6. It must be the combination of hard, quick rain with the intense sun here. Gorgeous. 

Leaving the Pitons for Rodney Bay...

Lobster for New Year's Eve Dinner

There are often locals who will come by in their boats once or twice when you are anchored in the Caribbean. One of them offered very large fresh live lobsters for sale, and he delivered them to our boat. They were at least 2 lbs each. These are Caribbean lobsters, where you only eat the tail. Kent threw them on the grill and we had garlic mashed

Rain

It rained very hard here for about ten minutes. Felt great in the heat. 

I spared you the picture of the nude local men checking the nearby lobster pots. ;-)

Our Kitchen

A few of you have been interested in shots of the interior of our boat. I posted an earlier one of our cabin and arrangement on the starboard side. Today, here's a shot of our kitchen and part of our inner salon. We have two refrigerators, two sinks, a really good wall oven and stove top, but I am kind of missing my microwave and ice maker! We do have lots of storage and a couple of cabinets in the kitchen are empty at the moment, believe it or not.



For those of you who are wondering about our water resources, we have a watermaker which makes clean fresh water drinkable right out of the tap when we do not have water at a dock.

Did I mention that I'm really missing my microwave and ice maker?!? Thinking of swapping out the extra frige for an ice maker. Hmmmm...

Anchored in the Pitons

Here we are anchored with the Pitons behind us.

The Ti Punch, a famous drink in the Caribbean, is made with local rum, cane syrup, and lime. Usually served with no ice, Kent needed a cold drink after our sail...

The Pitons Again...

Soufriere is a tourist hot spot in St Lucia, not just because of the Pitons, but for the hot springs, the rainforest with its gardens and waterfalls, and chocolate plantation. Soufriere literally translates as "sulphur in the air" but oddly, we did not smell any sulphur while there. 

The Pitons again...

Captain Kent at the wheel...

The Pitons In St Lucia

New Year's Eve day, we had good wind and bright skies for the two-hour trip from Rodney Bay to the Pitons, two volcanic mountains that rise off the south end of St Lucia. The town of Soufriere is not particularly inviting but the bay anchorage is beautiful and we anchored right up against Gros Piton with Petit Piton just behind. What a view.