Rough passage but we made it!!

We started the passage between the BVI and St Skitts by heading northeast from Virgin Gorda. We were trying to get an angle to sail both ways, first northeast and then tacking to the southeast. Unfortunately the current was against us and the winds weren’t great so we ended up dropping the sails, turning to starboard and motoring due east until we got to our southeast'ing point. 

We motored until Sunset then tacked again to head southeast. We wanted a 60deg port tack and got it. This is Calypso's favorite wind angle by far! We started to sail southeast at a decent pace...7-8knts in about 17-19 knots of wind. We would'e been going faster but there was the NW current that was pushing again us at 1-2 knots. We found some squalls in the middle of the night so we dropped the sails...Once clear of the storms (we did get hit by one that formed right on top of us) we put the sails back up but with 2 reefs in the main and 3 in the Genoa because the winds had increased from 19 apparent to 27 apparent. We sailed like that for the rest of the night. 

We also had to tack and slow sail just to kill time at around 4am because there are oyster fields in the middle of the ocean out here, we didn’t want to run into the floating lines. On the chart they’re called Leeward Islands but there are no islands. Just fields of oyster beds hanging at 50 meters under the surface over 3000ft of water. Just don’t run into the lines! That could foul the prop or rudders. 

Once the sun was up we tacked and continued southeast. Mostly motoring from that point because the winds shifted to 30deg no matter how we pointed. Seas for the passage were heavy and confused at about 6'-8' and larger when the winds picked up late at night. Calypso handled it like a champ. 

Speaking of Calypso, she's a salty mess. Her bow was completely going under water during most of the passage. The seats on there bow were under water at times, they're about 7-8 feet from the water line! We also had waves breaking over the hard top bimini...Thats about 10-12 feet above the waterline! 

I (Brittany) wore a patch for seasickness! Too bad I'm blind as a bat now but totally worth me walking into walls for the next couple days! haha...I didn't feel a thing. 

So the passage was intense but we enjoyed it! Now we're checked into St Kitts and Nevis! We dropped the hook off a lovely old volcano and are at a sweet little beach bar as I type this. Such an amazing journey! We're so happy you're along with us! I feel a new episode coming soon for you! 

Love, 

Brittany