Nick moves to St Thomas and Mark becomes an ASA Instructor
Captain’s log:
On Sunday Mark and Nick came aboard around 5 pm. We started off with a couple painkillers and a light appetizer. We had a nice introduction, discussed sailing goals, discussed locations, and sailing experience. Mark is long time student and wanted to earn Sailing Instructor Certifications. Nick having a new idea in life to move to St Thomas and become a charter captain. Both have been on several sailing cruises in the Virgin Islands with a Captain and decided they wanted to take the helm and get bareboat certified to charter a catamaran with their friends.
Sailing Route:
Day 2: Crown Bay Marina to Buck Island Marine Park to Christmas Cove (Snorkeling Virgin Islands National Park and Fresh catch fish dinner aboard)
Day 3: Great St James to Honeymoon, St John. (Sailing skills in Rain squall, delicious dinner ashore at Cruz Bay Landing and exploring the beach bars)
Day 4: St John to Maho Bay (Snorkeled with the turtles, Sailing Skills practice, dinner aboard cheeseburgers in paradise)
Day 5: Maho Bay, St John to Magen’s Bay ST Thomas. (Sailed through the islands, explored the beautiful beach, dinner aboard Jalils homemade pasta)
Day 6: Magen’s Bay to Secret Harbor. (Downwind skills sailing, exploring beaches, snorkeling, dinner ashore at the Sunset grill)
Day 7: Secret Harbor to Crown Bay Marina (Sailed out 3 miles to dump 😊 before returning to the dock)
We hugged and said a sailor’s goodbye, may our sails meet again someday.
Catamaran: Sailing Vessel Speculation Leopard 44
Crew: Captain Genevieve and Captain Jalil ASA students: Nick and Mark Courses complete: ASA 103/104/114 and ASA 203/204/214
When: Classic Catamaran Course Sunday, November 6th 2022 @ 5pm – Saturday, November 12th 2022 @ 10am
On the first day of our class Captain Jalil showed us around the Catamaran with quick boat safety briefing with us. Introducing us to first mate Calypso, she is friendly island coconut retriever. The Captain went over every system in detail. He showed us how to use all of the key features listed below. Captain Jalil is a local St Thomain, he is patient and thorough and extremely knowledgeable about the Catamarans because he also does maintenance. He took us off the dock and we were underway in no time.
We sailed in the U.S. Virgin Islands to St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix while learning how to operate the catamaran on a crew-centered adaptable itinerary. We wanted to schedule time for sailing skills, island hoping, snorkeling and beach time. We always discussed and considered wind and weather factors.
Every morning at 8 AM we spent about an hour at the galley table (classroom), to discuss topics like exam review (1 each day), theory, boat systems, and navigation, and the sailing skills for the day and plans for our desired anchorages.
Sailing Daily after the morning class session and operated the catamaran until around 4-5 PM, stopping for a midday lunch break, with swimming and snorkeling options.
We anchored or moor every evening around 4-5 PM. We had time for knot tying, swimming, debriefing, free time, island exploring, preparing dinner aboard and/or going ashore.
On the final day we verified all the certifications, logbooks, and sea-time forms. Then we set sail to the marina. At the dock we had time for vessel clean up and packing for a 10 AM departure. We called a taxi to pick us up.
KEY FEATURES:
4 Staterooms, w/Quiet Flush Electric Heads
Generator & Full Air Conditioning
Classic Main with Stackpack and Lazy Jacks & Furling Genoa
Electric Winch at Helm & Electric Windlass
VHF and AIS at Helm station
Swim Platform and Tender Lift
Numerous USB Ports & Extra Outlets
Solar Panels
Forward and Aft Cockpit Cushions
RO water Filtration System
Separate Fridge & Freezer
Charcoal BBQ
4 Burner Stove
Oven
Dingy with 20 HP Motor
Snorkeling & Safety Gear
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Sleeps: 8
Private Head & Shower Per Stateroom
LOA: 44′
Beam: 26.10′
Draft: 4.3′
Engines: 2 x 57HP
Fuel: 274g
Water: 300g