Ottley Hall Shipyard - a good bye for a few months!

We have been working hard to prepare the boat for the coming summer months. In Canada, we have to winterize the boat every fall - here, we have to "summerize" the boat. Some preparations are comparable: antifreeze through the engine and all pumps (so that the rubber will not stick), cleaning every cupboard ... others are new items for us: all water tanks have to be filled and treated, all walls have to be sprayed and wiped down with vinegar, every food item inspected for bugs (none found!!!!), sewing shades for all the windows to minimize the heating effect of the sun in the interior, opening all cupboards/floor boards/storage compartments so that air can flow.

But, boy, is it hot. With numerous showers we try to cool off as much as we can.


The yard, a large commercial yard, puts all the boats on cradles, which, in turn, sit on a concrete floor. One of the best set-ups we have seen so far in the Caribbean.

And the view is not too bad from the cockpit. Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. A nice backdrop when we sit down and take a rest in the evening.

The yard is surprisingly clean. No trash or dirt around the boats.

Some derelict cargo ships and fishing boats line the inner harbour wall. We have been told that they will be gone later on in the year due to new developments (the yard has been taken over by a new investor from the US).

We will be leaving in a few hours. Last night we had a fantastic evening with Tony, one of the yard managers. More about it later ...