Well we’re still at Ocean World Marina! Our good crossing window for Monday, Feb. 17 disappeared so we’re now looking at crossing to Samana on Thursday, Feb. 20. As Mark reminded me – you’ve got to be patient!! And after seeing and hearing about all the snowstorms up north, I think we’re “stuck” in a pretty nice spot. We’re still looking to travel with 2 other sailboats – Sundog (Sharron and John from Ottawa) and Desert Loon (a catamaran owned by Greta and Brian from the USA).
Our 2 weeks here has given us some insight into the weather patterns for this part of the DR. It has rained almost everyday – sometimes just a sprinkle or two and other times a downpour. The early mornings are very calm and the afternoons are very windy. With this information, we know that leaving here in the morning will be good – low wind and calmer seas. But the afternoon will bring the opposite! We’ll keep that in mind as we travel east along the northern coastline.
It’s been pretty quiet for us on the dock. We hired our tour guide Ti to drive us back to Puerto Plata to do some shopping. This time Sharron and her husband John joined us. It was a successful trip and we were able to buy almost everything we needed. Mark found a coolant leak on the engine so he needed a new hose for that and Ti was able to take him to the right spot to buy it!! I haven’t done much lately – had a little stomach bug that has kept me inside the boat for a few days but that’s now cleared up. Mark has been busy with jobs. He fixed that coolant leak and did a few other checks on the engine. He took the port side hand rail off (which is inside and outside) and sealed around the holes. We’ve had a mystery leak for a few years now and this is the latest attempt at stopping it!! Fingers crossed this works because we’re running out of places to seal!! Today Mark worked on a leaky chain plate on the port side. The chain plate attaches the rigging to the hull of the boat and leaks can develop over time at the deck surface.
The Danish sailboat beside us left this morning (Feb. 17) and within 3 or so hours, a new Danish sailboat took its spot!! They all seem to know each other and have travelled together. This new boat is here for a few days and then they will be heading north to Turks & Caicos.
Happy Family Day!!! We’re always thinking about all of you!
Crimson Kathryn and her crew 