August 01- 02, 2004 - Returning to Aruba

August 1- 2, 2004 - Returning to Aruba After several days on the dock, we checked out and left early Sunday, August 1 to head back to Aruba. The wind was blowing strong, between 20 and 25 knots when we left the dock. However, we assumed that the wind increase was due to a local effect, and would not be the winds we would experience on our trip! We pulled off the dock at 6:15 in the morning, and watched the wind increase to 25 to 30, gusting 33 or 34! We traveled up the coast, debating whether we should continue or anchor for the day. We reviewed the coast configuration and decided that there appeared to be a protected area relatively close to the top of the cape that we could duck into if we decided not to continue. Well, we decided not to continue and headed into the protected area. We dropped anchor about 1/2 mile off the coast due to water depths. It was relatively comfortable at first. The wind swung more north east and the anchorage became uncomfortable. We tried to head further into the cove, but that just wasn't going to work, again due to depths. We back tracked further south to a spot where we could get in much closer to shore. Unfortunately, that anchorage turned out to be untenable as well because of wrap around swell would hit us right on the beam and we would be rocking uncomfortably. So, we headed further south to a point that we knew would be comfortably deep enough for us to get relatively close to shore with a long point that would protect us from wrap around swell. We motored back to a point that put us approximately 12 miles from the dock we had left at 6:15 in the morning, and we got there are 5:00 in the evening! We dropped anchor and spent the night quite comfortably. We woke up early the next morning, and after reviewing weather decided that if we didn't go then, if we were caught by the Guardia Coasta, we would be forced to check back in to Venezuela. So, the wind seemed lighter than the day before (and in fact it was down by about 5 knots) so we decided we would go. We headed out at 5:45 in the morning. The first part of the trip was comfortable; the wind was blowing a steady 20 with gusts to 28. Once we were exposed to the open ocean, we were pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the ride was. We were motor sailing with staysail and main. As we continued, the wind and current kept pushing our course closer and closer to the wind. We pinched the wind as closely as we could. About 8 miles out of Aruba, I saw our staysail starting to develop a rip. It appeared to be in the sun cover, but not being able to tell for certain, we opted to put the sail away to protect it from further damage. Mike put the sail away while I began hand steering into the highest waves and taking the rest on the forward quarter. We rode comfortably like this until the seas began swinging on our beam and growing larger because they were wrapping around the end of Aruba. As we continued on it became apparent that unless we changed something, we would be heading for Curacao! So, Mike started putting out the jib. The plan was supposed to be when Mike had enough of the jib out I would turn and head us toward Aruba using the stabilizing force of the jib and main together. Well.... Before he started, Mike suggested that he tighten up on the windward sheet. I thought that it wouldn't be a problem so Mike got a small portion of the jib out when the windward jib sheet got wrapped around the outboard engine of our dingy! So, Mike put as much of the jib away as he could and then scooted up the deck on his butt. He unwrapped the jib sheet and then scooted back to the aft. Yes, he scooted almost 100 feet on his butt over non-skid deck! He got back and put the jib out. We were able to motor sail the rest of the way into Aruba. At the end of the trip, Mike noticed that the jib's sun protection is also having problems, though they aren't as severe as the those of the staysail