When I saw John, my brother in law, as they pulled Sweetest Thing into Crown Point harbor, my first question was, "Are you ready to transit the Atlantic?" "Not so sure now", was his response - then he added "I am happy I did this one, though. It was an experience I am glad I had.", which of course is faint praise for 14 days at sea with no sight of land, sometimes fearing for your life as 20 to 30' waves broke over the beam and completely covered the boat. Sustained winds of 40 with gusts to 60 for 12 hours running east under power and bare sticks. I think the most disconcerting was seeing the lateral movement of the hulls relative to the bridgedeck. Somehow you know that movement is normal, but seeing it when you are scared out of your mind must provide a different perspective. The civil engineer in me knows strength increases with deflection - until failure. Happily, there were no failures. Only shaken nerves.
Captain Kris admidted that overall, the ride was more comfortable than they would have had in a monohull, but he followed that by saying that the experience was punctuated by some very brief but much more stressful moments.
She did fair well - there is a list of repairs now that number 32 items, but most of these grow from learning what is needed more than failures en route. A pad eye or two to secure the dink more easily, for example. New locking hardware for the cabin door.
And some shake-down issues - one head with a failed valve, and a new freezer that will not freeze.
Captain Kristofer (or Captain Tofer, as he prefers) has agreed to stay on as our charter captain. What a great find - smile from ear to ear and a voice that commands immediate respect, backed by stories of a life experience that is especially entertaining. Kris is a teacher by nature, with a great sense of when to let his students learn on their own.
And we found a great chef to join him - we will call Ian what he is - a sailing chef rather than "crew", which reflects his background as a culinary school trained chef with a decade of gourmet restaurant and cruiseing experience. Ian is also equipped to deal with diatary retrictions of guests, and is adept at presentation that reflects his background working in some of the best gormet restaurants. Ian LOVES to sail, and only recently returned to St Thomas from his stateside duties. Great warm personality, very helpful. And he has won several awards in the Virgin Island crewed charter community. A great reputation.
I have not yet mentioned our island manager - Pam. Talk about being qualified. Pam was head of the non-profit Charter Yacht Association on St Thomas a few years back, and she found herself in the charter yacht management business when her last employer (who managed 18 yachts) split town with the cash, and left her his car as severance. Pam has capacity to handle 4 yachts - ours is her second, along with a 44' Lagoon, Catatonic. She has an invaluable network on-island (been there 15 years), loves boating (an admidted stink-potter), and has the winning attitude that every small business needs - an assertive but friendly "get er done" nature and a frugal approach. She asks only one thing of us - "When I tell you something needs to be fixed on Sweetest Thing, just fix it."
And Pam has a marketing mind with a salesperson's pragmatism.
Sweetest Thing will "go public" at a Valentines Day theme cocktail party that fits with her Sweetest Thing name. What a great idea. I am only sorry I will miss it.
We have also secured a second mooring for her - we have the one in Red Hook near to Pamela, and now a second one off Water Island close to the airport next to Captain Tofer's own 41' Wandering Dolphin where he lives with his lovely wife Rebecca and their 5 children. Either way, Sweetest Thing will be looked after by folks who get to know and lover her as we do already.
Life is good.
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