Sailing on Ocean Nomad... work still continues.

It was my girl friend's birthday recently and we decided to take some friends and family out for a cruise on the recently re-launched Ocean Nomad. The engine is in but not all hooked up with fuel tank, exhaust and bits and pieces, to JD had to ferry everyone out to the yacht using Xtreme. Anyway, there must have been about 14 of us on the yacht and she sailed very well along the coast out from Jolly Harbour towards Deep Bay. With no engine and not a single person apart from me who had sailed on her before we had to be careful. There were a few sailors on board so it was actually pretty easy. We dropped the hook very close to the Andes shipwreck so that we could all jump in and swim. JD had brought his thundercat along with the Xscream ring thing that we used at the kid's parties. A few of the big kids enjoyed going for rides while the rest of us ate and drank.

Time kinda flew and before long it was time to sail back to Jolly Harbour. There were a few squalls and with Galley Bay's point just below us we just used the jib to clear it before we hoisted the big mainsail. In Five Islands Harbour the winds kicked up pretty good and Ocean Nomad glided on with grace and speed. So much work has gone into this yacht and continues to this day. In fact, this past weekend the greenheart floorboards were put in over the top of the interior lead ballast and the engine box was finished. I think by the end of the week we will be able to get in and out of port under engine power. I dunno how my uncle sailed for all those years without an engine. Charters under the Sailing Antigua company name will probably not be started until later in the summer. To get it perfect it is taking plenty longer than i thought. Sail covers and the awning are being made at the moment by Graham at Antigua Sails, and a head will be constructed shortly. We still have not gotten a ladder either. There is an amazing amount of work that has to be done in order to ''finish'' a wooden boat to the point where she is ready for day tours and charters. The journey from the photos taken above back in Carriacou in Feb. where and when i took this boat over has been a rewarding challenge. Its still not finished!This sailing trip for my GF's birthday was the first time we went for a cruise with regular people and that in itself was a learning experience, and i was glad that it all worked out well. She even helped trim the mainsail as seen above. Nobody could ask for better crew!My mom and sister who both work with me at Adventure Antigua came with us too and enjoyed it which was very nice. All in all we had a great time and i am even more excited to have the yacht properly finished...soon! A special thanks to the ''crew'' that day as they didn't even know they were going to be crew. Also thanks to Kat and Karine for taking the photos.