Charter chatter
With two charters under our belt and two more signed up, we can now say that we have indeed, launched.
Each sail is a different, fascinating, novel experience. Though we cover the same area every time we sail between Goa and Bombay, each trip has something different to offer. The very first one had us racing ahead of the cyclone Kyarr and returning leisurely with a memorable visit to Jaigad. See my earlier blog for that story.
The second sail to Bombay was our first of the new year 2020. We sailed back with our first guests: Kedar, Arun and Abhinav. Arun, unfortunately, had a bout of sea sickness and stayed on deck to ward off the nausea. The novelty of being out at sea with no land in sight had these guys up till late in the night.
The full moon lent a hand to create a serene, incandescent sail. The weather gods were feeling indulgent and we reached Vengurla rocks early on the third day. They made for an awesome spectacle as we passed within touching distance of them. Our first sign of land since leaving Bombay. The winds picked up and had us romping home in super quick time. We were moored and the guests en route to the airport by 1900 hrs!
The next sail was with Reshad, Karl and Nish; the 3 musketeers from Bombay. An enthusiastic email exchange had these folks raring to go. We woke up bright and early and were at the jetty at precisely 0930 hrs. I walked to the jetty with the backpacks and assorted luggage, only to turn around and realise that the remaining baggage had stayed on the cab's carrier! A deep breath and some rumination later, I remembered snatches of the cabbie's conversation while he was driving us to the Gateway. So, I called Mum and asked her to peek out of the window to see if she could spot our bag on top of the cab. She did! And, she hopped right in and came along to the jetty - our knight in shining armour!
With the guests, and the baggage, safely installed on board, we were walking them around Antara when some friends of Reshad motored up to serenade him, guitar et al. A novel send-off. The Windy app had predicted light winds so we were pleasantly surprised to have good winds that allowed us to put up the sails and make a quick getaway. We were past Prongs in just a couple of hours.
No sooner had we set the sails and got the boat on course, than the guests began to pepper Dilip with questions about sailing and his circumnavigation. I left them to it and heated up a light lunch of poha. The first day is always a bit iffy and we prefer to have light meals. Once our wavelengths align with those of the sea, we get more adventurous with the menu.
Leaving Bombay, we try to head as far out to sea as possible. The traffic separation scheme is our marker for a fishing nets free zone. But Lady Luck was out to test us this trip. The setting sun took the winds with it and we had to start motoring. No sooner had we done so than the dreaded nets loomed up. We snared so many that evening that we had to stop motoring and, for the rest of the trip, rely solely on our sails. The crew rallied around and helped cut off the nets to free the boat and stand watch overnight. The morning dawned bright and completely still. Not a whiff of wind anywhere. So Dilip and Nish promptly jumped into the water to check the propellor and clear it as much as possible.
Chef Reshad added his magic touch to the bhurji breakfast. The wind picked up soon after and we made better progress through the day. Meanwhile, the sailing lessons continued with some chart plotting and knots added to the mix. The Skipper donned his Chef hat and found time to make a sausage pulao meal too.
By the third morning, we were certain that we would not make it in time for the flights back to Bombay. But then, we were headed to Goa. So the plans were adjusted to fit in a Goan food fest and a sleepover at a nearby resort. The Lady perked her ears at that and tossed some luck our way to rouse the winds and have us reach Dona Paula by 2300 hrs!
Our tired, hungry crew made a beeline for the fish rechead and prawn curry rice, helped along by a bottle of feni and chilled beer.
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| Abhinav soaking in his first sunset at sea |
The second sail to Bombay was our first of the new year 2020. We sailed back with our first guests: Kedar, Arun and Abhinav. Arun, unfortunately, had a bout of sea sickness and stayed on deck to ward off the nausea. The novelty of being out at sea with no land in sight had these guys up till late in the night.
The full moon lent a hand to create a serene, incandescent sail. The weather gods were feeling indulgent and we reached Vengurla rocks early on the third day. They made for an awesome spectacle as we passed within touching distance of them. Our first sign of land since leaving Bombay. The winds picked up and had us romping home in super quick time. We were moored and the guests en route to the airport by 1900 hrs!
 |
| Karl and Reshad saying hello to Antara |
With the guests, and the baggage, safely installed on board, we were walking them around Antara when some friends of Reshad motored up to serenade him, guitar et al. A novel send-off. The Windy app had predicted light winds so we were pleasantly surprised to have good winds that allowed us to put up the sails and make a quick getaway. We were past Prongs in just a couple of hours.
 |
| Reshad and Nish in conversation with Dilip |
Leaving Bombay, we try to head as far out to sea as possible. The traffic separation scheme is our marker for a fishing nets free zone. But Lady Luck was out to test us this trip. The setting sun took the winds with it and we had to start motoring. No sooner had we done so than the dreaded nets loomed up. We snared so many that evening that we had to stop motoring and, for the rest of the trip, rely solely on our sails. The crew rallied around and helped cut off the nets to free the boat and stand watch overnight. The morning dawned bright and completely still. Not a whiff of wind anywhere. So Dilip and Nish promptly jumped into the water to check the propellor and clear it as much as possible.
 |
| Chef at work |
By the third morning, we were certain that we would not make it in time for the flights back to Bombay. But then, we were headed to Goa. So the plans were adjusted to fit in a Goan food fest and a sleepover at a nearby resort. The Lady perked her ears at that and tossed some luck our way to rouse the winds and have us reach Dona Paula by 2300 hrs!
Our tired, hungry crew made a beeline for the fish rechead and prawn curry rice, helped along by a bottle of feni and chilled beer.
With Antara, you now have the opportunity to sail, safe in Covid times - on a large sailboat, along the coast, in the deep blue yonder! You decide and we'll design a sail just for you.
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