Articles about boat launching

Colourful wooden sailing sloops racing close together off a small green Grenadines island, white sails full, spectators watching from the shore, bright breezy afternoon, telephoto view

Whitsuntide on Petite Martinique: Regatta Weekend and Celebrations

Petite Martinique's Whitsuntide regatta and other celebrations: when they happen, what to expect, how boat launches fit in, and how to plan a visit around them.

14/10/2026 7 min read

Half-built wooden sloop hull on timber props beside a pale beach in the Grenadines, curved ribs exposed, shipwright planing a plank in shade, warm morning light, side view

Petite Martinique

Wooden Boats of Petite Martinique: How the Building Tradition Works

How wooden sloops are built on Petite Martinique: the materials, building by eye, the launching ceremony, the link with Windward and the threats to the craft.

14/10/2026 8 min read

Crowd of villagers hauling ropes to roll a freshly painted wooden sloop down timber skids into turquoise water at Windward, Carriacou, bright morning, low angle from the shore

Island Traditions

Boat Launching in Windward and Petite Martinique: A Day Explained

A boat launching in Windward, Carriacou or Petite Martinique mixes blessing, saraka, Big Drum and a crowd hauling the hull to sea. What happens and how to watch

14/10/2026 8 min read

Carriacou

Windward, Carriacou: The Village Where Wooden Sloops Are Built by Eye

Windward, on Carriacou's north-east coast, is known for wooden boats built by eye on the beach. The village, its sloop tradition and how to visit with respect.

14/10/2026 8 min read