In this episode, we are on the hunt for storm-damaged boats. We have been told that a number of hurricane-damaged catamarans were taken to the marina on the north side of Antigua and that we may be able to salvage an old rudder to retrofit to Paikea as a replacement for the one we lost on our Atlantic Crossing.
If you have not seen our series on losing a rudder 800nm offshore then be sure to check it out https://youngbarnacles.com/losing-a-rudder-in-the-middle-of-the-atlantic-ocean/
We get the kids to sail off the anchor rather than use the engines, which was a bit tricky with only one rudder, and head around the island in our very own attempt at being Pirates of the Caribbean. Of course, our efforts turned out to be fruitless and in all reality, it would have been just as much work to retrofit an old rudder as a temporary replacement as it’s going to be to make a new set. We just had to tick that option off the list.
Olly takes us through the process of navigating the channel closer to our destination as tack back and forth across the channel in increasingly stronger headwinds. Champagne sailing at it’s best as Shayne would say.
Another good video of how the crew on Paikea operate the boat. Shame on Antiguan authorities for not recognising their worth, there is no way these kids are just passengers!