June 10-? St Martin...Oui!

Greetings from St Martin!



The passage was smooth and uneventful. Much conversation ensued over the windlass. Based on his experience, ironically with a windlass he bought from Craig up on Lake Texoma, David is convinced that we should attempt repair. It does not take much to convince us since a new one is 2K plus install. We arrive in St Martin (French side of the island) around 1030 and have to wait until 230 for the bridge to open. We set the anchor and rest. As if to reinforce the argument for repair rather than replacement, the windlass works just fine when we raise the hook. All the boats waiting for the bridge to open for entry into the port are circling like a wagon train, each waiting for her turn. We head for the marina we have selected and find it to be “Mediterranean mooring”. The bow of the boat is attached to a mooring ball and then backed up to a dock to which stern lines are attached. A new style for us but Craig is a pro. We settle in, walk about town and relax for the day. We are able to check into St Martin right here in the marina office, and here the check-in is digitized. I think this is a scream and sit at the computer to get to work. Surprise!! European keyboards are totally different and the letters are in different spots. My dream check-in becomes a hunt and peck nightmare but it is very interesting to me. Typical American I suppose… I simply assumed that a Dell keyboard would be universal wherever I went. Who knew that the French would have it all wrong!!!

We walk along the dockside, checking out restaurants and shops. We were unable to find ice in town and ask a man at a restaurant about it. We stop in for a beverage since he is going to give us a bag of ice from their icemaker. He also brings snack samples: tuna tartar and bread bits to dip in hot Camembert cheese. Stephan is my new hottie/oooo la la French gay boyfriend who tells me that his day was a single violin but now that I am here, it is a symphony.
The next morning, the windlass is out in a flash. Based on symptoms, the motor is intact but the brushes are not making complete contact and a simple cleaning (the brushes create internal dust as they spin) should do the trick. A quick connect to the battery after cleaning and it works like a champ! Later in the morning, we are paid an advance visit by Roger who will repair our generator. He lives on a boat and does contract work for the shop we contacted. He has a mechanical engineering degree, a masters in diesel engines and used to be the head of Rolls Royce engines before he took off for the Caribbean. This man is an expert and teaches as he goes along. He concurs with the windlass repair and offers additional advice to keep it working smoothly.

David and Craig tag-team boat projects all day long. During our passage, the macerator pump for the forward holding tank worked itself loose. Since the holding tank was empty, this is not the nightmare disaster it could have very easily been. To prevent recurrence, David engineers a support.

Custom/autographed artwork; regreasing gears while the windlass is out; the dastardly brush (it's the little things):

Stephan, my hottie Frenchman.....

We went to dinner at an Italian/European bistro. After appetizers, we order pizza since we have not had restaurant pizza since Florida. This ain't Domino's. The cheese pizza is made with Camembert, goat, bleu and mozzarella cheese. Bon Appetit!!

The boys and a special shot of Craig, my hottie Texan-turned-Frenchman, enjoying escargot and French Bordeaux. Who knew?

Roger, our new best friend in action. He attributes the head failure to salt water intrusion which probably occurred when we heeled over on starboard tacks. In addition to resuscitating the generator, he will refit a longer and higher exhaust hose to prevent recurrence.

Roger works fast and will be done today. Otherwise, not sure yet when we are leaving or our next port of call, either Dominica or Martinque.