The trip from Long Island to Provo was not one of our better sails.  We set out with about six boats for the 240 mile trek (about 40 hours) to the Caicos Banks.  We planned the trip in one continuous sail as the weather window was small otherwise we could have jumped island to island.  The wind was supposed to start SE and then switch to the NE so it would be a good sail.  There were supposed to be scattered squalls when the front passed but with the radar we could avoid them.  Well, as to be expected
the weather did not cooperate.  We had a terrible crossing.  The first day wind did not switch to the north when predicted so we were into the wind the first day and then we had numerous squalls at night.  When the pre-frontal trough passed we had a massive squall with 40 knot winds.  The next day the wind did switch north and then died.  The wind picked up later in the night along with more squalls but then we had to slow down so we didn't get to the Caicos banks until day light.  When the sun came
up all the boats crossed the banks to Sapodilla Bay in Provo (Providenciales).  We have been anchored here for five days (so far) waiting for weather.

During the crossing we also had engine problems.  John had to replace the intake impeller on the engine the first day and then replace the fuel filter and fix a plugged fuel line the second day (the rough water stirred up the junk from the fuel tank). The third day (at harbor at least) he fixed a broken wire on the alternator.

Sapodilla Bay is not close to any facilities.  The bay has a nice sand beach and beach front homes.  The customs check-in is around a point at the government dock.

We rented a car one day for a sightseeing trip.  Most of the island is developed with resorts.  We did go to the local conch farm where conch is raised for sale to the states.  The farm was actually started by a fellow from Mystic, CT. The farm has an inventory of 5.5 million conch.  The life cycle of the conch starts with an egg mass with 500,000 eggs which are colleted by divers, and the egg masses are brought to the hatchery.  The eggs hatch to larvae and after 22 days to free swimming veligers
(baby conch).  After 22 days the conch are transferred to the metamorphosis facility where they change from free swimming larvae to bottom dwelling baby conch. During the free swimming stage the conch are fed liquid algae.  After metamorphosis the baby conch starts growing their shells.  As the conchs grow they move to the on shore nursery for 1 year olds (2-4 cm) to 3 year olds (6 cm).  The conch are fed pelletized algae.  Once the conch are about 6 cm they are transferred to the Sub-sea pastures
(fenced pens in the sea).  Growth to adulthood takes about 2 more years.  The fenced pens not only keep the conch from escaping it also protects them from predators (lobsters, sting rays, tulip shells, crabs, octopus, turtles and porcupine fish).  The sea bed for the conch farm is leased from the government and in lieu of cash the farm releases 1 million conch to the environment per year.  Not only are adult conch marketed so are 1-3 year old conch sold as ceviche appetizers.  The end of our tour
included hands on look at two adult conch, Sally and Jerry.  When our tour guide picked up the conch they actually came out of their shell.  About 1 in 10,000 conch will grow a pearl.  The farm had some examples of the beautiful pink pearl.