Oyster News 52 - Oyster Yachts

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OWNER REPORT great autumn migration of boats from Europe to INthe the Caribbean, many yachts pass close to the Cape Verde Islands in their bid to reach the trade winds as quickly as possible. A few stop briefly in Mindelo or Palmeira for fuel and provisions, while only a tiny number make an effort to cruise these islands. The great majority miss out on the tremendous opportunities that these islands offer for cruising with a distinctively different flavour. 22 www.oystermarine.com CAPE VERDE ISLANDS Santo Antao Fogo Boa VIsta Praia Dakar AFRICA Freetown cape verdean I N T E R L U D E BY STEPHEN THOMAS OYSTER 66 MAGIC DRAGON Although we had wanted to include them in our itinerary on our last Transatlantic in 1995 we had eventually, but reluctantly, decided to stay with the pack and press on with the passage. In 2003 we decided to take a more circuitous route to the Caribbean via Brazil, thus taking us directly past the Cape Verdes, and this time we set aside the time to visit the islands properly; a decision we were not to regret. Geographically the islands are very similar to a hotter version of the Canaries, but lying 650 miles SSW of them. Of the ten major islands, the western islands are mostly mountainous and green, while the eastern islands are hotter, drier and flatter. Independent of Portugal since 1975, their consequent exclusion from the EU has caused severe economic difficulties and the nation has been more closely allied to the West African countries of Guinea-Bissau and Senegal than with Europe. Many Portuguese left at the time of independence, so the islands now have a largely West African cultural heritage. Significant financial support comes from the many Cape Verdeans who have migrated to the USA particularly from Brava, which had close links with the US whaling industry. The official language is Portuguese, although most local people use Creole as their dayto-day language. English is rarely spoken. Approaching from the NE, we had the choice of Palmeira (on Sal) or Mindelo (on Sao Vicente) as ports of entry. We chose Palmeira and, although the major navigational lights were not working, the periodic illumination of the airport landing lights provided a reassuring confirmation of the island’s presence after our fast run down the trade winds from La Gomera. Palmeira harbour is straightforward and secure, although the presence of a couple of wrecks in mid-harbour is, perhaps, discouraging! Anchoring alongside about twenty other (mostly French) cruising yachts, the entry procedure was quickly completed by the friendly port captain, although immigration clearance required a quick trip to the international airport five miles away at Espargos in one of the
Magic Dragon at anchor in Funa Harbour www.oystermarine.com 23
Page 1 and 2: NEWS O YSTER® NEWS FROM THE WORLD
Page 3 and 4: The first voyage of the season for
Page 5 and 6: GETTING A LIFT Fox’s Marina on Su
Page 7 and 8: Miami Vice Strictly Sail is the sai
Page 9 and 10: Alan and Sue Brook, Andy Green, Gav
Page 11 and 12: "I attribute whatever modest advanc
Page 13 and 14: Her little sister Leslie and cousin
Page 15 and 16: adjustment for me and went out of h
Page 17 and 18: Richard Matthews on the Builder's T
Page 19 and 20: The sails are set and Cygnus goes b
Page 21: THE OYSTER 82 FIRST TIME OUT 24 FEB
Page 25 and 26: On tour in Sao Nicolau Local house,
Page 27 and 28: Pelagos Yachts International Yacht
Page 29 and 30: At noon on a weekday last September
Page 31 and 32: copy his boat and the owner would b
Page 33 and 34: He grew up cruising with his father
Page 35 and 36: UBS is Main Partner of Alinghi, the
Page 37 and 38: Aldo Mariotti's, Oyster 53, Bellama
Page 39 and 40: 2003 ATLANTIC RALLY FOR CRUISERS -
Page 41 and 42: The 2004 Oyster Fleet Oyster offers
Page 43 and 44: MIAMI OCR 2004 The Miami OCR is a v
Page 45 and 46: FOX’S PROVIDE GREAT SERVICE FOR O
Page 47 and 48: A TLANTIC DELIVERY THE CREW Eddie S
Page 49 and 50: the preventer on the boom, sheeted
Page 51 and 52: covering of snow on the water. A co
Page 53 and 54: THE LAST LEG Crackerjack cast off a
Page 55 and 56: FALKA A RARE FIFE MOTOR LAUNCH THIS
Page 57 and 58: Rozlyn and Ray's daughter, Caroline
Page 59 and 60: This is our experience on this quie

Oyster News 52 - Oyster Yachts

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