A Week That Didn’t Go to Plan | Rain & Marina Life in Grenada

Tied up at Le Phare Bleu Marina on the south coast of Grenada, the cruising family aboard Sailing Big Lost balances heavy tropical rain, persistent maintenance tasks, and the social realities of marina living. After spending their first week on the island handling warranty repairs at Clarkes Court Boatyard, the crew settled into a two-week stay at Le Phare Bleu to tackle overdue boat chores.

Dockside water provided a rare opportunity after logging nearly 2,000 nautical miles through various boatyards. While anchoring requires strict freshwater rationing, marina slips allow thorough cleaning. The crew unfastened removable cockpit panels to wash away accumulated salt and mildew with freshwater and Dawn dish soap. As they tackled the topsides, they noted, “Plug in a hose and it’s time to go nuts.” The crew rinsed out deck lockers, polished stainless steel deck fittings, and scrubbed down the foam decking.

Cockpit Cushion Refit and Snorkel Break

Between washdowns, the family grabbed masks and fins for a quick snorkel break directly around the harbor. Although underwater visibility proved murky, they encountered a lionfish, lobsters, an eagle ray, and a porcupine fish along the seafloor.

Back aboard the catamaran, the crew upgraded their outdoor seating. Their original factory cockpit and helm cushions measured only a couple of inches thick, absorbed rainwater like sponges, and remained damp for consecutive days. To resolve the issue, they commissioned Lisa from local canvas business Rolling and Stitches to fabricate complete replacements. The new cushions combine high-density Dri-Fast foam with a one-inch top layer of memory foam, wrapped in durable Phifertex mesh sourced from Sailrite. Explaining the difference in the new material, the crew pointed out that “the water literally beads up on the fabric.” Lisa also relocated the zipper tracks to the bottom edge, preventing seam stretching and eliminating previous helm backrest sagging.

Rained-Out Anniversary and Rig Inspection

Marking their 16th wedding anniversary, the family rented a car alongside cruising friends from SV Magistra to explore inland Grenada. Their itinerary centered on driving north to tour the Diamond Chocolate Factory. Torrential downpours soon flooded the roads, forcing them to turn back toward the southern coast to avoid being cut off by washouts. Instead of an island tour, the crews gathered under cover at the local Container Park for a casual lunch of ramen and Greek dishes.

Back at the marina dock, maintenance resumed aloft. A crew member climbed the masthead to inspect the chafe protection on the locking halyard assembly. The code sail halyard secures directly into a locking mechanism held by an overhead strap, which absorbs heavy working loads while sailing. The inspection verified how the fastening bolt and strap endure movement aloft, checking for contact wear and friction points across the edges.

DIY Bow Shade Fabrication and Marina Community

At 6:45 in the morning, fabric rolls and a portable Sailrite sewing machine were hauled to the Rolling and Stitches workshop. Having offered floor space to spread out wide patterns, Lisa assisted with laying out a custom bow shade designed from 20-foot fabric panels. Reflecting on the ambitious canvas project, the crew admitted, “It’s been almost 20 years since I sewed anything serious.” Over the course of 5 hours, the project advanced through pattern adjustments, bobbin winding, and trial assembly until the raw shade panel took form for final edge hemming.

Beyond technical upkeep, dock life introduced interpersonal dynamics for the children. As the crew observed, “Marina life is a double-edged sword.” While marina berths deliver continuous shore power and water, close living quarters and diverse age groups mean peer relationships require care. After young Finn faced a falling out with a dock playmate, the family supported him through the emotional patch while prepping their itinerary to head west toward the ABC islands.

Maintenance and Passage Logistics

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