There is lots of good company here, ...Read more]]> We are still year round boaters and consider from time to time when we might head off again for a year or more of sailing. Currently work beckons and so we enjoy Witchcraft, sailing when we can in the Thousand Islands Region. It sure could be worse.

There is lots of good company here, many interesting boats and a boat builder specializing in Fire and Rescue Boats, some of which many of you may have seen in action.

“What would we do differently when we strike off again” is a question — or perhaps a series of questions.

Did we enjoy our travels? Was it worth it? Would we do it again? Are there things we would do differently? The answer to all of those questions is ABSOLUTELY.

Next time we will leave earlier.

Erie Canal, September 24

We left Kingston Ontario on September 15. Next time we will leave earlier.

There are a couple of reasons for this. It would be a warmer transit of the northern part of the journey south. Since we felt chased by the cold there were places we only waved at on the way past.

Honestly, one cannot fully explore every spot on a single trip, but there is something to be said for a more leisurely transit.

We would replace our aging engine with something more powerful, and presumably quieter.

Changing oil

We had no idea how many hours the old beast had on her, and she always went, never missing a beat. However, we were concerned about it all the time. That was a rather large elephant in the saloon that we would not want to travel with again.

Will the expense of a new engine delay our departure? Most likely it will, as they are a dollar-sucking piece of kit.

Since one is under motor so much, first in the canals, and then in the ICW it seems a prudent and sensible thing to do before another longish journey.

There are a few things we would stock up on.

We did not feel the need to stuff every available spot in the boat with food from home before we left. People eat everywhere so food can be obtained, if one is not overly attached to what you eat at home. We still feel that way, there are however a few things we would stock up on. They seem like odd things: large tins or bottles of sesame oil, large containers or many small ones of the curry paste we use so much of, and basmati rice.

More seals for the raw water pump

Other non-food items include more seals for the raw water pump. Although we carried extra, we needed more, which we were able to obtain via the help of a family member at home. So now we know: more of those than we thought were necessary should come along with us.

Truthfully (and luckily) most of the extra engine parts we packed, are still awaiting use. That was a pleasant thing to have happen. The same was true of the head and galley pump repair kits.

We would take all of those items again, since they could and likely would be difficult to replace.

We would try to have some sort of full enclosure for our cockpit.

Our boat essentially has an open cockpit. Weather cloths and the awnings we made before we left were helpful for rain and shade. They are in fact an essential minimum. We would try to have some sort of full enclosure, or as close to full as we could achieve. This would have made a huge difference in our comfort during those cold nights offshore from New York City.

A different main anchor

At anchor at Whale Cay in the Berrie Islands

I would consider a different anchor as a main anchor, but my partner would be reluctant to change. We dragged once and it was our fault, not a failing of the anchor. Still I fancy one of those Manson or Rocna styles. Not an essential change, merely a nice one…

There are likely a few other things, and perhaps they could be added at another time.

Most importantly we had a terrific time and look forward to the next trip aboard Witchcraft.

She was safe and comfortable for our travels and that, after all, is the prime consideration.

Fair Winds,

Ruth

SV Witchcraft

About Ruth Allen

I have been living aboard Witchcraft, my Tom Colvin designed ketch for the last six years. As soon as my four children were launched my husband (Mark) and I emptied the house, and left the land behind.

We are not full time cruisers since we are not retired. I work at West Marine Canada which gives me the opportunity to combine work and pleasure.

I live in Canada and sail every chance I get. I came to sailing later in life and found a new passion.

Visit Ruth’s blog: www.mytb.org/svwitchcraft

Related articles on Women and Cruising

More articles from Ruth Allen

• Ruth Allen’s secret weapon against fear: the theme song from Gilligan’s Island
• Ruth says: To learn about a place, volunteer!

More Info

• Ruth’s blog: www.mytb.org/svwitchcraft

What would YOU do differently next time?

Leave a comment below or email us: kathy@forcruisers.com

The protected Bahamian harbour we are in with its keyhole-type entrance is adjacent to a very friendly community.

Cruisers stop here in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, for short or longer stays and it is a very nice mix of both residents and a few tourists. In other words this place welcomes tourists but does not exist ...Read more]]>

The protected Bahamian harbour we are in with its keyhole-type entrance is adjacent to a very friendly community.

Cruisers stop here in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, for short or longer stays and it is a very nice mix of both residents and a few tourists. In other words this place welcomes tourists but does not exist solely for the tourist.

This appeals to both of us, since we do not feel we can truly learn about a place and it’s culture by only visiting the normal tourist spots.

As we were planning to stay for a couple of months, I began looking for an opportunity to volunteer in the community, that was providing free of charge moorings and a safe albeit temporary home.

I have been fortunate indeed to spend two days a week at the local primary school working with kids who are having difficulty in school. The kids are polite, quick to smile and just generally fun to be around.

Initially, I wondered what I would be doing with each child, so the first day or two, we talked trying to get to know each other. We also read short books together and wrote stories. I was trying to assess what I could best focus on with each child as well as find out a little about their personalities.

This has been fun for me, and offers me a perspective on the community I would not have otherwise discovered. The school has included me in various activities with open arms. Far more children and their parents know me by name than would if I had  remained a slightly interested visitor.

Some adults have stopped me to thank me for my time! I had been wondering if I was being at all useful, if I had made a mistake entering the lives of the children for so short a time ( several weeks). This question has been recently answered for me.

One teacher says her student has improved the legibility of her writing, another is at last learning cursive writing, and two others have begun to improve their ability to read.

The thing I am happiest about, is having been able to arrange  eye glasses for a child whose parents cannot afford them. This young person will make great strides simply by being able to see her work, thanks to a kind sponsor.

It has been fun to share stories about my home with these curious children, and show them the route our boat took to travel here.

Interesting also is their reaction to learning we have things like an oven aboard, or the fact that “They let me drive the dingy all by myself.” These exchanges offer little windows into the cultural norms of the area.

It will be hard to leave these wonderful young people behind when I begin my journey home soon. Along with the fun, I have also learned things that have made me very sad, and in some cases angry. The children have taught me more than I have shown them.

Would I do it again, given the opportunity? Indeed I would, it has been worth every minute.

I feel privileged to have been allowed to participate in the community in this way. I feel like I have received much for the donation of a small amount of time.

I would encourage others to join in community ventures while cruising, when the opportunity presents itself.

An EEO (Exceptional Education Outreach Bahamas) volunteer wrote this about Ruth’s involvement for their newsletter and passed it on to Women and Cruising:

“A woman who came by boat from Canada and anchored in Hatchet Bay stopped by P.A. Gibson Primary School to see if Mrs. Ingraham, the Principal, needed a volunteer to help with children with learning disabilities.

Her name is Ruth Allen.  She raised two sons who are now middle-aged and both had a variety of learning disabilities. She began coming in on Tuesday and Wednesday to work with the EEO students that were in need of special one-on-one attention with their various disabilities.

One little girl had trouble reading and had a wandering eye which Ruth also had as a child.  She realized that the girl might need glasses.  She mentioned it to someone in her travels through the community and they offered to pay for her to get glasses. The little girl doesn’t know about this yet but will be thrilled to be able to read better.

Ruth has also taken a special interest in one little boy who she feels will do best if he is directed into some sort of technical training for his career choice.  She has offered to take him onto her boat and introduce him to various mechanical/engineering facets of boats in order to spark his interest in pursuing learning a boat-related skill.  He already shows great interest in anything even remotely associated with the sea and will be thrilled when he learns that his father has agreed to allow Ms. Ruth to take him onboard.”

About Ruth Allen

I have been living aboard Witchcraft, my Tom Colvin designed ketch for the last six years. As soon as my four children were launched my husband (Mark) and I emptied the house, and left the land behind.

We are not full time cruisers since we are not retired. I work at West Marine Canada which gives me the opportunity to combine work and pleasure.

I live in Canada and sail every chance I get. I came to sailing later in life and found a new passion.

Visit Ruth’s blog: www.mytb.org/svwitchcraft

Related articles on Women and Cruising

• Ruth Allen’s secret weapon against fear: the theme song from Gilligan’s Island
• The Knack of Befriending Locals (Gwen Hamlin – Admiral’s Angle column #57): What’s behind the knack of forging successful bonds with local peoples in the places we visit.
• Blog posts related to Volunteering
• Our Resource List on Volunteering

More Info

• Exceptional Education Outreach Bahamas (EEO) website
• Hatchet Bay Festival Committee website

How have you gotten involved in the communities you have sailed to?

Leave a comment below or email us: kathy@forcruisers.com