Waiting on the Weather

We filed our float plan with our family and said our "good-byes" to friends in the USVI  over a WEEK ago.  On Wednesday, we left the homey surroundings of Honeymoon Bay-Water Island and spent the night in Round Bay on the far eastern end of St. John to get a good night's rest before our jump off into the deep for our 134 mile or so journey to St. Kitts. The next morning-Thursday, the predicted winds were brisk, but sailable- so we thought.  However, after two and a half hours of being pounded by 6-8 foot waves, we came about and headed northwesterly toward Spanish Town,Virgin Gorda- BVI.  Once ashore, the weather reports indicated that the winds would be a bit calmer the next day (Friday).

So the following morning, we weighed anchor and headed out along the southeastern coast of Virgin Gorda, past the Baths and through the pass between Round Rock and Ginger Island.  Everything seemed fine.  I was at the helm and Dan was adjusting the sails.  The headsail was lufting noisily which thoroughly annoyed the Captain.  As he stood studying the genoa, I noticed that the sail was slowly falling down along the headfoil!  I immediately alerted Dan and he scurried forward, reaching it just as the bulk of the sail blew over the starboard side into the sea.

Dan was using all his might to pull the sail back on board, with seemingly minute results. Still at the helm, I maneuvered the vessel to head more into the wind and reduce the speed.  I set the auto pilot and carefully worked my way to the foredeck to help.  It seemed we'd pull some sail up onto the deck and then the water would pull that and more back under.  It was an exasperating experience and the whole time we both kept checking our position to make sure that Exit Strategy was not about to kiss the rocky shores of Round Rock or Ginger Island. 

At last, the sail was completely out of the water and Dan lashed it to the lifelines.  As he did, we saw that it was torn near the top along a horizontal seam and vertically near the UV panel along the leech. It had come down when the knot that fastened it to the halyard came undone. We jibed to sail back to Road Town, Tortola where we anticipated that we could get the sail repair done, clear into Customs/Immigration, and access the internet to monitor the weather and communicate with family.

The repair was easily accomplished, although we had to deal with waiting until the following Tuesday for some things because Monday was a local BVI holiday. We kept a watch on the weather; the winds and the waves only got worse.  Today- nine days later- they have calmed down considerably and tomorrow we will once again attempt to set sail for St. Kitts, hoping that the third time is a charm.