Spinnaker RIP

We set off from Anguilla with the wind from behind. Blowing between 15 and 20 knots and pretty steady. We decided it was a perfect opportunity to raise the spinnaker and fly into BVI.

We had not done it for 2 years if not more and it took a while to get it all set up and ready!

Finally everything was in the right place and we raised the dousing sock and she opened up. Just then a gust came through. The force of the wind in the sail was lifting the port hull, the side on which the spinnaker was flying. The boat was starting to heel. I was screeching for Andre to do something. He was frantically trying to spill some wind when there was an almighty BANG and before my eyes a huge hole burst open in on the head of the sail and the a ripping sound as the tear ran the length down both sides, from the head to the foot!

The sail dropped down under the boat, just the triangle at the head and thin binding down each side to the foot were left flying.

I was desperately trying to pull the sock down to douse what was left. Andre manage to release the clew and ex both dragged the remains of our beautiful spinnaker back onto the boat!

We then had to once again turn into wind to hoist the main. Opened the genoa and were off again goose winging our way to BVI.

Now because of our reduced speed and the delay we were going to get to BVI after dark! 

In St Maarten we had met up with South African friends, Alan and Marita on Alley Cat (also an Island Spirit), John and Shirley on Khaya Moya we had met in Carriacou and new friends John and Holli and John's son Devon on Shiloh!

They had suggested we meet up with them and we all travel together.

On our trip over from Anguilla we heard they had also left that morning from. St Maarten. We had been in contact on the VHF and told them we were coming in late.

Alan said he would anchor in an easily accessible anchorage and they would all keep their lights on to guide us in.

Thanks everyone we arrived safely at about seven thirty in the dark to be guided in by Alan.

A quiet night at anchor before the party storm of BVI!