What’s new in Grenada

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As a Grenada-based yacht management company we often see clients leave to explore elsewhere.  We also often see them come back to re-discover Grenada and the Grenadines.  So, what’s new if you have been away for a couple of years?

Two great options for Grenada grown produce

Valu Garden at Excel Plaza still has the best value local fruit and vegetables, as well as refrigerated, frozen and store cupboard items … and it has now doubled in size.  Open on a Sunday morning, with very friendly and helpful staff, it is the only shop I leave wondering how I spent so little on so much, rather than the other way round.

Farmers Market every Wednesday morning, past Spiceland Mall in the Youth Centre car park.  Usually advertised on Grenada Cruisers, Coming Events and Advertising Facebook page

Dinghy Concerts

The first dinghy concert was organised by Dieter of Le Phare Bleu in January 2011.  They are now a regular occurrence featuring local and overseas musical talent – see dinghyconcert.com.  The next dinghy concert is on 15th March – it is number 25.

Island Dreams Office

Our CN Port Louis Marina office has moved.  We are now by the dinghy dock, adjacent to the Marina Office.  No longer lime green, we are mango yellow!

SailClear

Grenada now has SailClear, so you can complete Customs and Immigration arrival formalities with minimal form-filling.  Register your boat and crew beforehand on sailclear.com.  Enter your intended arrival date, time and port of entry and the Customs and Immigration Officers will print out the completed clearance form ready for you to sign.  As more Caribbean countries implement SailClear, the process of moving from one territory to another will become easier, so time spent registering your boat in the system will reap benefits in the future.  And it’s free.

110 volt 60Hz electricity

American boats needing 60Hz electricity to comfortably run their electrical systems on shore power can now do so – head for Camper & Nicholson’s Port Louis Marina.  Make sure you inform the marina of your electrical requirements when you book

Clarkes Court Boatyard and Marina

Clarkes Court Bay Marina is under new ownership and management and is becoming a boatyard.  Construction is under way and we expect Grenada to be able to haul larger boats once the yard is operational.  See their page on Facebook for plenty of photos.

Hashing every week

Hashing has become so popular it is a weekly activity.  A great way to meet Grenadians, students, cruisers, expats…. and lots of them.  See grenadahash.com or the Grenada Hash House Harriers Facebook page.

photo credit: Judith Jarvis

Get a new look for your boat seats and cushions….

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…. clean them! 

Island Dreams’ upholstery and carpet cleaning.  Contact us for a quote.

Tel +473 415 2138 or anita@islandreamsgrenada.com

Keep your yacht clean over the Caribbean summer

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Now is the perfect time to clean the areas of your boat in daily use when you are sailing in the Caribbean.  If you have left your boat in a boatyard or marina, tackling these jobs now will help the boat stay mildew and odour free over the summer.  Contact Island Dreams for information and estimates:

Upholstery cleaning

Inevitably upholstery becomes salty and grimy over time.  A frequent ‘sticking point’ is zips – in a salty environment they become seized preventing the removal of covers.  Zips need to be cut out and replaced, covers washed and dried.  You will be delighted with the difference this makes to the look and feel of your seats and cushions.

If seat back and other covers cannot be removed, they should be cleaned in place with our spray/extraction upholstery cleaning machine.

Washing and drying sails

Before storing, sails should be washed with fresh water, using a soft brush and mild detergent on marks if necessary.

Halyards & sheets

Usually a soak in fresh water followed by a machine wash returns lines and halyards to good condition.  Putting them in a pillow case ensures they do not get snagged whilst in the washing machine.

Mooring & dock lines

Mooring and dock lines which spend time in the water become ingrained with sea life, making them difficult to handle and smelly.  We use a pressure washer to remove the crustaceans and weed, followed by a machine or hand wash.

Canvas

Storing folded salty canvas down below is likely to cause deterioration of the canvas itself, as well as attracting moisture inside the boat.  A fresh water wash, with mild detergent if necessary, and a thorough dry is important for canvas.  Care must be taken handling and storing window panels to avoid creasing or cracking.

Woodwork

A wash down with a 50:50 vinegar solution will keep mildew at bay and remove hand prints, sun cream, salt and whatever else has been inflicted upon it during the sailing season.

Contact Island Dreams for more information.

Keeping your boat in the water over the summer

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Many people opt to leave their yachts in the water in Grenada for the summer.  What are the considerations?

1.  Summer sailing

The primary reason for owners opting to keep their yacht in the water is so they can use it over the summer.  Especially if school holidays are a consideration, it can be a lovely time to sail the Grenadines – quieter anchorages and lighter winds.

2.  Keeping systems running

Boat systems benefit from being used, and in-water storage enables systems such as refrigeration, generators and air conditioning to be run regularly.

3.  Insurance

It is important to check with your insurer regarding in-water coverage for hurricane season.  They may want to know about the hurricane plan for the marina, and what your arrangements are for caretaking and …

4.  Guardianage

For boats in the water, we suggest weekly checking of the boat for water ingress (salt or fresh), battery condition, chafe on lines and canvas, mildew etc

5.  Maintenance

Bottom cleaning and painting and other standard out of water maintenance can generally be completed in a 5 day haul.  Start your sailing season with a haul-out, or Island Dreams can do it for you with photos and updates to keep you informed.

6.  Cost

Marinas usually offer substantially reduced rates for an annual contract.

7.  Varnishing

This is best done in a clean dust-free environment so may be better to schedule for when the boat is in the water.

8.  Biminis, covers and sails

Protect deck and GRP by leaving canvas up, with an agreement for the guardianage company or caretaker to remove it should bad weather be forecast.  Sails should be removed for bad weather – not only do they risk being damaged, but they increase the windage making the boat itself more vulnerable.

9.  Check underwater

Have the bottom lightly cleaned and checked periodically to ensure that the prop can turn and the boat be driven in an emergency, and that the anodes are not in need of replacement.

10.  For further information, contact Island Dreams.