Culebrita, PR
18 19.173N
65.13.699W

As we approached Culebrita on Wednesday, Dale and I recognized Nicolino (a sistership to the Palace,) sailed by Gate & Darby, whom we had met in Luperon. We hailed them and told them that we were planning on mooring in the harbor beyond where they were anchored and promised to catch up with them in the Virgins next week.

Michelle recognized the harbor we entered and we sat reminiscing about our adventures here 12 years ago. You see, the first time we ever anchored in this harbor, it was after a rain squall had broken our genoa halyard. In the pitching seas, standing on the pulpit, Dale had done his best to jury rig the sail but the pitching and rolling was more than he could take.

In order to be better able to help Dale sail our first boat, Michelle (about 16 at the time) and I had just finished our basic sailing course and passed the test to get our skipper‘s card. We were pretty proud of those little cards but that particular rain squall put us to the test more than any pencil, paper, or trial runs ever could. Before going down to hit the rack, he pointed to the closest island, showed us which harbor to go into on a chart and asked us to take us in. We did. In fact, we only woke him to help us anchor. I guess that’s when Dale’s dream of cruising became more of a reality; when I realized that I could sail the boat too and would have some control of my own fate at sea.

Yesterday of course, was a gorgeous day and the most we’d be tested this time would be how much sun block we could use in a single afternoon.

On Thursday, Dale decided that not only was he going to work on the macerator pump again but that he was going to make a better repair to the rub rail that had been damaged in a storm several years ago. He pried the rub rail off with a screwdriver, cleaned the old caulking off with a knife, applied some new adhesive, hammered it on with a rubber mallet, and slipped a couple of ropes completely around the boat sandwiching the fender board over the repair and then twisted the ropes into a tourniquet holding the fender board in place over the repair. My assistance in this matter was limited to handing him whatever tool was needed when required and tidying up the repair with “GooGone” when he was done. I swear I’d make a good nurse.

Next, he moved to the macerator pump and poo tank. I handed him some latex gloves and moved to the farthest reaches of the boat and read silently; Michelle went swimming; trying to keep most of her body underwater and away from the sun.

When Dale emerged, snapping his gloves off and tossing them into the garbage, he declared that he had done what he could for the patient and that we would have to wait and see if it would work. He pushed the button for a quick check. A small dark cloud emerged from under the boat; Michelle screamed that we should have warned her and paddled her inner tube up current towards the beach and away from the discolored water as fast as she could. At first blush, it appeared to be working. We all went snorkeling and hoped for the best.

On Friday, he removed the tourniquet from the rub rail; the repair looked good and seemed to be holding. After allowing me to finish my book (remember the back of the boat?) we hoisted anchor and when we reached the proper distance from shore, we pushed the button and held our breath. Thank heavens, the gauge indicated that the tank was emptying. We put some disinfectant into it and sealed it up. We’re now ready for anyone else who might want to visit.

In the meantime, do you recall that I told you Dale and I had taught Michelle how to play Mexican Dominos? She loved it! In fact, she wanted to play it every night she was here. She was pretty dang good at it too! Be careful if she tries to get you to play a game with her, she’s a bit of a ringer now.