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Profile 1 - February 9th, 1998
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There are thousands of people cruising boats around the tropics today. When I was a kid sailing down here in 1971-72, there were only a few boats, and they were far smaller generally than the boats we see sailing today. There were no GPS's, water makes, weather faxes, EPIRBS, nor 1/10th the facilities that there are here now. It is now easier and safer than ever to "untie the lines" from home and sail south to paradise. The people and boats we've met on this trip come in all shapes and sizes. They come from various economic and social backgrounds. Some are on boats no bigger than ours, some are on big boats. There is only one common thread... they all "un tied the Lines" and sailed the dream. They are here! These are the results of a hand written (we can't afford a printer) questionnaire we asked our friends to fill out in George Town. In it we asked a few stock things like who they were etc, as well as a few fun things like what they'd do with $ 100.00 in George Town if they had it to frivel away. Enjoy!
"Nell" - a 37' Ingrid. A wooden, gaff rigged, double ended Ketch built by it's owners and launched in 1997. Captain: Tim Balfour
Skip "her": Jennifer Smart
Ships Liability: Adam Balfour (6 ) We first met "Nell" in Staniel Cay. It's hard to miss her. She's a pretty wood boat and stands out amongst the plastic pails that dot the harbour. Tim and Jennifer built her themselves for this trip and they thought out every possible thing they'd what.
They can, because they know. Both sailed from England over ten years ago (separately... had not met yet) with dreams of circumnavigating the globe. You may remember Jennifer's frequent articles in "Cruising World" or will at least have the chance to read her latest instalments in soon-to-be-issued copies.
Trip plan & Duration: Completely open ended. A toss of the coin will decide where to go next. Atlantic.... Pacific.... Atlantic.... Pacific.... Atlantic....
Claims to fame: Inventing the perfect loaf of pressure cooked bread! (Jennifer taught us how... 20 minutes in the pressure cooker, lid on, low pressure, 1/2 inch WATER in the bottom to actually make steam.... trust me... it works great!!!)
We SIT DOWN in our dinghy (It's common to stand in dinghies here so you don't get as wet)
Favourite spot: Other than the one that ran with "Dick and Jane"?... probably Funchal (Madgra) +/or Cariacou (Grenadines)
Favourite Food: Going up or down?Going up it's definitely pineapple chunks
Going down it's probably ice cream, our shore side #1 treat Most detested chore: Changing engine oil Favourite piece of equipment: Self steering gear (Aries wind vane). Wouldn't leave home without it! Item you would most like to drop overboard (accidentally of course): On this trip... the VHF radio!!! It's got control of us. Neither of us can turn it off, but we both detest having it on. If we were to give you $ 100.00 to spend in George Town, what would you buy?: HA! after paying off the 35% import/duty fees on our packages from the States we'd buy a $ 5.00 phone card (To say thanks to the people back home for sending us the gifts!)
"Pur Tango" - a 38' Morgan from Montreal with Bob DesRochers and Carole Blais as capable crew. Pur Tango and Destiny Calls's paths have crossed many times as boats tend to do as they head south. Carole has a smile that could light up even the coldest heart and Bob is possibly the most popular guy at Stocking Island in George Town. He is always there to lend a hand and always able to join in a Volley Ball game, Soft Ball game or go spear fishing. Bob can be found each morning jogging in town. They have about 14 months sailing experience between them Trip plan & Duration: To get out of the cold, find the sun and come back when we have absolutely have to! Claims to fame: Saved the boat "Sieur D'Azur" from a certain catastrophe and was rewarded with a bottle of rum!! (Never got to taste it!!!) Favourite spot: In the sunshine where ever it is!!! Favourite Food: What ever the boat next to us is cooking!! Favourite piece of equipment: The head! Really comes in handy when you need it Item you would most like to drop overboard (accidentally of course): The head! It is always got something stuck or is broken or is leaking... the damn thing!!! If we were to give you $ 100.00 to spend in George Town, what would you buy?: 2 apples 2 grapefruits, a gallon of milk and if there is change... a beer/
"Kristina" - a 27' Nor Sea double ended sloop. Captain and crew: Les, Kim and Lee Babin We first met "Kristina" in Nassua. She caught our eye because: She's about the only boat we've seen our size down here She had abot 23,098 people on her!! Apparently the whole family was just visiting, but the sight of the smallest boat with by far the most people on her was hard to ignor. Trip plan & Duration: Kristina departed Halifax August 4th 1997 and has spent the winter exploring the Exumas. She'll be heading back north for the summer of 1998. Claims to fame: Kristina travelled 15,000 miles with her original owners, Wayne and Kristina, many of these miles with their two daughters and mother in law. They wrote a book about it! Favourite spot: George Town Favourite Food: Les: Spaggetti, Kim: Baked food...we have no oven Most detested chore: Looking for items on a 27 boat Favourite piece of equipment: The BBQ, we haven't got an oven! Item you would most like to drop overboard (accidentally of course): Nothing. We have already lost too many items! If we were to give you $ 100.00 to spend in George Town, what would you buy?: Kim says clothes, a tank top, sunglasses and sandals for the hot climate... it's HOT here!
Till the next instalment!
