Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine - February 2022

If we succeed in getting 50 different ways, your
photos will appear in a full-page montage in a
future issue of Compass. It might even be suitable
for framing!
READERS'
FORUM
DOUG LEIHBACHER (2)
Stock Up
on the widest selection and the
best prices in Grenada at our two
FEBRUARY 2022 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 34
conveniently located supermarkets.
Whether it’s canned goods, dairy
products, meat, fresh vegetables
or fruits, toiletries, household goods,
or a fine selection of liquor and wine,
The Food Fair has it all and a lot more.
Hubbard’s
JONAS BROWNE & HUBBARD (G’da.) Ltd.
The Carenage:
Monday - Thursday
8 am to 5:30 pm
Friday until 8:45 pm
Saturday until
1:00 pm
Tel: (473) 440-2588
Grand Anse:
Monday - Thursday
9 am to 5:30 pm
Friday & Saturday
until 7:00 pm
Tel: (473) 444-4573
Read in
Next Month’s
Compass:
The Nicholson Sisters of Antigua
Hard Aground in Carriacou
Utila Time
… and much, much more.
Don’t miss it
Pick up a print copy or read it online at
www.caribbeancompass.com
IS LARRY PARDEY THE REAL DEAL?
Dear Compass,
In the November 2021 issue, Nicola Cornwall’s
description of the call to action she received from
“Compass Captain Sally Erdle” was a fun way to start
her review about the new documentary movie on the
life of world cruiser Larry Pardey. Having never heard
of the Pardeys, Nicola’s unbiased review of The Real
Deal is straightforward and refreshingly honest.
I’ve not seen the documentary yet, but for me,
coming of age in the ’70s racing small one-design
sailboats in protected harbors of southern California,
I had just the opposite experience to Nicola’s. At 19,
dating soon-to-be-husband Tom, he introduced me to
ocean sailing and the idea of circumnavigation. Tom
had just read Pardeys’ first book, Cruising in Seraffyn.
He told me, “along with Dove by Robin Lee Graham,
these are must-reads.”
By 1978, we bought a 28-foot Bristol Channel Cutter
hull and deck kit from Lyle Hess based on the design
of Seraffyn.
For decades since, in many circumstances with
countless people, I’ve quoted the Pardeys’ “go light, go
simple, go now” motto. I guess you could say it has
become my own.
In 1980, due to Tom’s 470 racing notoriety, we were
invited to sail aboard Seraffyn in the (Newport Beach
to) Ensenada Race. Under other circumstances I might
have really taken to Lin and Larry and Seraffyn, but it
was May — fog and next to no wind. The foggy slog
turned out to be the slowest Ensenada Race on record.
Tom and I were estranged by that time. Between that,
the Pardeys’ “bucket and chuck it” toileting method,
and the nauseating roll of a boat in no wind for two
days, it is mostly an unpleasant memory. Nonetheless,
after decades of consuming their articles and books, if
written by the Pardeys, for me, it must be credible.
Reading from Nicola’s review, I asked my captain,
Jim Hutchins, “Nicola called Larry Pardey
‘controversial.’ I wonder why?”
“What made him controversial was going out to sea
to weather storms,” Jim replied.
Lin and Larry’s emphatic statements and their
willingness to back them up with their real life
experiences makes The Real Deal seem like it will be,
for me, the real deal.
Best regards,
Ellen Birrell
PS Currently we’re in Carriacou selling our sloop of
12 years, Boldly Go. Boo-hoo. But Happy New Year,
and here’s to the adventures ahead. Remember, on
land or sea: go light, go simple, go now.
CRUISING CATS
Dear Compass,
Regarding the “Cruise with a Cat” story and the
sidebar in the November 2021 issue (pages 22 and
23 at www.caribbeancompass.com/online/
november21compass_online.pdf), I can’t imagine
taking a cat cruising — but that maritime litter box
idea is ingenious!
Maryann Matter
Key West, Florida
THE 50 WAYS TO GET ASHORE CHALLENGE
Dear Compass Readers,
In Jim Hutchinson’s article “50 Ways” in May 2021
issue of Compass (see page 22 at
https://bit.ly/3fyIaBm),
Hutch reckoned there must be 50 ways to get ashore
from a boat. Are there?
We asked you to send a photo of how YOU get ashore
— inflatable with outboard, rowing dinghy, sailing
dinghy, kayak, paddleboard, windsurfer, noodles, fins
— or something else entirely? And Compass readers
have accepted the challenge.
See the latest entries, from Mina L’Ecuyer and Doug
Leihbacher (www.caribbeanislandsailing.com) below.
MINA L’ECUYER
The well-known produce delivery vessel in Rodney
Bay, St. Lucia.
A boat vendor in Admiralty Bay, Bequia, utilizes a
former windsurfer.
A kayaker paddling in Tyrell Bay, Carriacou.
Set your phone or camera to the largest image
setting, snap your getting-ashore vehicle of choice, and
send the picture(s) to sally@caribbeancompass.com.
Dear Compass,
Please include me on the list to receive a notice when
each issue comes online. Love reading CC when it’s
freezing out!
Thanks,
Bradford
Dear Compass Readers,
If you’d like be on the list to receive an email letting
you know when each new issue becomes available
online, just drop a note to sally@caribbeancompass.com.
CC
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Dear Compass Readers,
We want to hear from YOU!
Be sure to include your name, and your boat name or
shoreside location.
We do not publish individual consumer complaints.
We do not publish anonymous letters, but your name
may be withheld from print if you wish.
Letters may be edited for length, clarity and fair play.
Send your letters to sally@caribbeancompass.com