Captain’s Log: Father-Son Fun
The Basics
The boat: Speculation, a solar-powered 2012 Leopard 44
Crew: Captain Jalil (instructor)
ASA Students: Bill and Conner
Courses Completed: ASA 101 (Basic KeelBoat), ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising), ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran)
Day 1: Father-Son Fun
Bill and his son Conner didn’t have much experience sailing before arriving for their Learn to Sail vacation but they certainly know how to have fun together! The pair frequently visit the Virgin Islands and are life-long ski and pontoon boaters. They decided to take the ASA courses with Go Sail to learn to sail before chartering a bareboat catamaran with the whole family later in the year.
The father-son duo casted off with Captain Jalil bright and early and motored to Flamingo Cove to practice power maneuvers. Once they felt comfortable under power, they set the full main and Sib and practiced point-of-sail drills south of Hassel Island. In the afternoon, they picked up mooring at Buck Island for lunch, practiced setting the full main and jib again, and then finally called it a day when they moored at Honeymoon Beach.
Day 2: Sailing Sheets and Fishing Lines
The day started with some class time before motoring through Durloe Channel and practicing both tacking and reefing practice south of Jost Van Dyke. In the afternoon, the crew continued these skills plus heaving west of Sandy Cay. In the afternoon, they picked up mooring in Leinster Bay and tried rod fishing. No luck! The fish just weren’t biting!
Day 3: Great Food, Great Memories
Day 3 was another great day of sailing as the crew tacked along the north coast of St John but the highlight of the day wasn’t just the beautiful sailing. It was the memories made after mooring in Lameshur Bay that evening. Everyone hiked to the petroglyphs and enjoyed Jalil’s famous jerk chicken on the grille with Rasta lentil stew. An unbeatable way to end a great day of sailing!
Day 4: Ooh Barracuda
The morning started off well for the crew but by mid morning a ferocious squall stopped them in their tracks! Once it passed, Conner and Bill practiced man-overboard drills in some very light winds before heaving-to for lunch. In the afternoon, the crew got a look at French Cap Cay from every angle before heading over to St Thomas! Their mooring choice at Cow & Calf Rock ended up being the perfect choice. They saw a huge barracuda and a school of horse-eye jacks while snorkeling!
Day 5: What Did We Stumble Upon?
Have you ever seen a massive Puerto Rican beach tennis tournament while adventuring at sea? Neither had this crew until day 5 of their learn to sail course! The chaos, excitement, and fun of the tournament made for an eventful evening for the crew after a day full of jibing, anchoring, and practicing knots!
Day 6: Accolades to the Crew
Bill and Conner worked together well as a father-son duo for the entirety of their learn to sail trip! On the last day, they reviewed skills, practiced a few more knots, and Conner then sailed them into Crown Bay. Good luck on your bareboat charter gentlemen!