Captain’s Log: Sporty, Spirited, and Savage

The Basics

The boat: Lucky Fin, a Bali 4.0 catamaran

Crew: Captain Trevon (instructor) and First Mate Stephanie  

ASA Students: Jeff, Angel, Kathy, Fred

Courses Completed:  ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat), ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104  (Bareboat Cruising), ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran)

Day 1: YouTube Educated

Captain Trevon and First Mate Stephanie spent the afternoon getting to know the students before everyone settled in for the night onboard Lucky Fin. Both couples, Jeff and Angel as well as Kathy and Fred, wanted to see if they could master a catamaran and feel confident enough to buy their own! While they didn’t have much sailing experience, they were all fairly certain the sailing lifestyle was for them. Both sets of couples had watched a variety of sailing YouTube channels and felt knowledgeable about the lifestyle, comfort features and maintenance challenges that boating entails.

Day 2: Sporty Conditions 

20 knot winds and 4 foot seas— what a way to start a sailing adventure! The crew took turns at the helm and eagerly made their way out to Pilsbury Sound in the sporty conditions. For lunch, they took a break for lunch in Caneel Bay and practiced mooring. Then back to it— raising sails and practicing man overboard drills in the wind! 

Day 3: Spirited Seas

This crew wouldn’t be able to complain about a lack of wind— they woke up to more 20 knot winds! The conditions made for great tacking and jibing practice out of the Sound until things got a bit too spirited up the Windward Passage. “Gnarly wind and waves,” Captain Trevon noted in his Captain’s Log so he decided to switch things up a bit. They made their way toward Jost Van Dyke with some surprise man overboard and fire drills! By afternoon, the crew found themselves in Maho Bay and relaxed on the beach, even getting a little swimming in. 

Day 4: Savage Sailing

Captain Trevon labeled this day an exhausting yet fulfilling day at sea! “Increasing winds and waves from the east weighed heavy on the crew’s decision to head back downwind through Pilsbury Sound to practice skills, rather than motor much of the day to the east in rough conditions,” he explained in his Captain’s Log. So off they went to Cruz Bay– helming, reefing, and navigating the very windy conditions! The crew was very happy to finish the day up with a lovely dinner ashore. 

Day 5: Plan B

The crew sure was getting in their practice reefing the sails and handling the catamaran under such windy conditions! While they originally planned to make their way around St John up the south shoreline to the east, the swells and gusts made that seem like more of a rodeo than the crew felt like getting bucked around on. Instead— Plan B! They returned to Caneel Bay for a beautiful afternoon of snorkeling and tasty burgers on the grill. A success none the less!

Day 6: Snorkeling Success

The winds did slow a bit on the crew’s final full day at sea— but they were still at a sustained 22 knots! The crew jibed over to Buck Island, moored for lunch, and then clawed their way back upwind to Christmas Cove for some anchoring practice. The crew even decided to get a better look at their anchoring skills by snorkeling down to see its position! While in the water they encountered turtles, rays and lots of reef fish, including a big grouper. A fabulous way to end their last full day at sea!  

Day 7: For the Love of the Sporty, Spirited and Savage

The trip was coming to an end but man, this crew made enough sailing memories for a lifetime! Kathy mentioned loving the sporty, spirited, and savage conditions and the crew all laughed about the high winds being quite a theme for the week! The experience taught them that they certainly could handle a catamaran safely and prudently— even under such conditions!  Jeff said he will always remember being on the bow grabbing a mooring ball with his wife Angel at the helm in gusty conditions and totally nailing it. Great job crew— ASA certifications well earned!