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Saltair - Citizen science
Saltair - Citizen science
Saltair - Citizen science
Saltair - Citizen science
21/11/2023

Saltair - Citizen Science on Saltair

We are starting to relax and enjoy life at sea! Seth, 11 is in charge of the citizen science experiment from SeaLab and has started taking water samples and reporting data. One of the measures is ORP, Oxydation Reduction Potential, which can assess the health of marine ecosystems. On his first data collection he read a negative number which he did expect. We reached out to the SeaLab WhatsApp group and Emily from SeaLab sent us a great message back with an explanation. A negative reading is a good sign that the ecosystem is working well and healthy! Here is Emily’s explanation “here is a little explanation that might help to explain -ORP to him: Think of the ocean like a big, busy city, and the ORP is like a score that tells us if this city is more like a clean-up crew (positive. read more...


21/11/2023

Blue Pearl - Blue pearl log 9

Here we are again, this always seems to be a good time of day to write a log as it coincides with the 1200 position list! So when we send this log off we can get the positions and weather in at the same time. Being able to get the position for the whole fleet is a mixed blessing, it is interesting to see where we are in the fleet but it then brings out peoples competitive side as you can see if you have made up places overnight or lost them. Last night was the first night that we have flown the spinnaker, which did help keep our speed up but not such a restful night as we were a bit on edge having not flown it at night. But we made it to the morning without any mishaps so that’s positive!Yesterday afternoon we managed to fix the chafe problem on the yankee sheets. It was quite a process,. read more...


Loreley - Wind around 20Kts, good sailing!!!
Loreley - Wind around 20Kts, good sailing!!!
Loreley - 10:49 21.11.2023
Loreley - 10:49  21.11.2023
21/11/2023

Bluejay - Blog

Bluejay Report  Tuesday, November 21,2023At 1116 hrs localtime Gran Canaria, the 60 foot cutter Bluejay of Portsmouth was gangplank-upready to slip her lines to commence the famous Atlantic Rally Crossing, the ARC2023. Moments later the bonded Bluejay crew of 10 (Michael, Richard, Nic,Robert, Steve, David and yes another David, Anders, Andrew and Angus) followedthe calm yet decisive directions of Skipper Holly and first mate Manu to castlines and off we went, into the traffic jam procession out of themoorings.At 1304 Bluejaycrossed the starting line along with the numerous other boats in the CruisingDivision. The fleet followed the guidance of the ARC weather experts and set outacross the top of Gran Canaria SOUTHWARD towards the continent of Africa inorder to catch southerly winds.. read more...


21/11/2023

Risque Business - Calm Sea and a Bit Lacking in the Wind Department

16:3.44N 31:47.19WTuesday 21st Nov 1030 GMT. All is well on the good ship Risque Business with the crew waking from their slumbers. Yesterday evening we caught our second fish, a lovely Dorado. So supper last night, prepared by Nick and Rich, was a mix of pan fried Wahoo and Dorado steaks, roasty potatoes with garlic and courgettes, and some cabbage - delicious! The crew couldn’t decide whether Dorado or Wahoo was the better, however for this scribe, I think the Wahoo just came out ahead.Yesterday was a day spent under spinnaker. This sail is probably 40 years old and we bought it second hand just before we set off from Las Palmas. Nick, ever the sceptic, reckoned it would last less than an hour, while DB was eager to get it rigged and driving this jalopy onwards to Grenada. After a. read more...


21/11/2023

Hot Stuff - 25:15.43N 17:31.54W

We had a good sail last night with some swauls coming though. We reefed the main which made her more comfortable to handle and managed 8.4knots for a while and an amazing pod of dolphins. We may have seen some flying fish but not certain. This morning we were visited by a whale briefly possibly a minke but not sure.So we have a problem...well several but we are working though them. The engine won't start at the moment. Its pretty cloudy today so solar isn't charging the batteries and we need the engine running to charge the batteries up. So currently stripping bits down trying to solve a problem. Work the problem as they say. Good news is water tanks are still pretty full and its time for breakfast.C. read more...


21/11/2023

Pure Joy - ARC Day 2

Another calm day, which we’re grateful for as we settle into our routines.Elliot was feeling a bit seasick at times but bounced back with a ginger biscuit!We caught and LOST 2 (maybe 3?) fish today.They seemed like big ones so the lures are working! Now just to get one of them all the way in!Martin made a lovely steak and potatoes dinner and we played two games this evening: Cat Taco Goat Cheese Pizza and Soundiculous.Everyone had a good laugh with this, especially Elliot. We tried out just about every sail today, and have settled on the spinnaker for the night.Managing to pick up some decent speed with it tonight.Cloud cover tonight so no stars. However, when you look behind the boat you can see glowy bits in the water from the luminescence.image0image1image2image3image4. read more...


Pure Joy - ARC Day 2
Pure Joy - ARC Day 2
Pure Joy - ARC Day 2
Pure Joy - ARC Day 2
Pure Joy - ARC Day 2
Pure Joy - ARC Day 2
Pure Joy - ARC Day 2
Pure Joy - ARC Day 2
Pure Joy - ARC Day 2
Pure Joy - ARC Day 2
20/11/2023

Aqualuna - When It All Came Tumbling Down

It was the final day of the first leg from Las Palmas, and I was happily slumbering through my last off-watch and dreaming of our triumphal arrival into Mindelo with a celebratory beer or ten.  Suddenly, the crack of a rifle shot ricocheted around the boat and shot me out of my bunk and into the cockpit in a milli-second.  O MY GOD. Not a rifle shot, but instead, our forestay was hanging by a thread and our (brand new) genoa sail was loose and flogging. I’d spent the last 500 hours or so of the reasonably terrifying trip from Las Palmas running every possible disaster scenario in my head ….. except for this one. The conditions felt pretty intense: the wind was blowing force 5-6 and the waves were around 4 metres from 2 different directions, causing the boat to. read more...


Aqualuna - Crossing the start line
Aqualuna - Crossing the start line
Aqualuna - ….. and we’re good to go!
Aqualuna - ….. and we’re good to go!
Aqualuna - The wonderful Gilson checking the rig (and checking out the view!)
Aqualuna - The wonderful Gilson checking the rig (and checking out the view!)
Aqualuna - BoatCV get started with the re-rig
Aqualuna - BoatCV get started with the re-rig
Aqualuna - John Eustace arrived with the “windsurfing equipment”
Aqualuna - John Eustace arrived with the “windsurfing equipment”
Aqualuna - Our corkscrew-shaped forestay
Aqualuna - Our corkscrew-shaped forestay
Aqualuna - BoatCV cracking on with dismantling the on-deck pandemonium
Aqualuna - BoatCV cracking on with dismantling the on-deck pandemonium
20/11/2023

Ariel - Update

The four sail new Ariel pattern after the explosion of our blue gennaker! Happy week!image0image1image2image3. read more...


Aqualuna - Genoa and forestay secured as best as we could
Aqualuna - Genoa and forestay secured as best as we could
Ariel - Ariel
Ariel - Ariel
Ariel - Ariel
Ariel - Ariel
19/11/2023

Ipanema - First blog: ready for departure

We have been working to make Ipanema and ourselves ready for this great sailing event. We will do some posting of progress here. Three hours beforedeparture we want to thank our partners, family, friends and colleagues who have helped us to make this possible!   We will keep you posted!   Best regards from captain and crew from the Ipanema   Martin, Roef, Robert, Piet and Henk. read more...


20/11/2023

Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard

Hello world! The crew of Champagne Hippy are very glad to be off the dock and out sailing after an unsure morning of last-minute adjustments yesterday. The send-off from Las Palmas was fantastic, with all the crowds gathered at the exit of the marina cheering us on and wishing us well. What an amazing atmosphere to be a part of, and of course this only got better when out of the marina. Seeing so many sails raised high with all our fellow ARC friends heading for the start line was really something to behold! Our first few hours of sailing were very enjoyable with the excitement from the start line still buzzing around on deck. As the sun set with a green flash, a pod of dolphins joined us as a fair well from Gran Canaria, a collective how lucky are we to be doing this passed over the. read more...


Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard
Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard
Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard
Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard
Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard
Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard
Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard
Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard
Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard
Champagne Hippy - Loving life onboard
Manaia - The end of a perfect sailing day….
Manaia - The end of a perfect sailing day….
Spirit - Where is this guy from? 500nm from land!
Spirit - Where is this guy from? 500nm from land!
20/11/2023

Northern Light II - Monday 20th November

Light winds again all night and so far today. The parasailor has remained up and looking at the winds it will continue to be up tonight and for most of tomorrow in daylight hours before the forecast winds increase.With a steady 11 knots of wind, 6-7 knots of boat speed and flat seas this really is champagne sailing ( without the champagne - you can imagine which member of the crew is missing this!). Today has been more of a domestic day - cleaning, fixing, doing washing, checking all the eggs, vegetables & fruit,making yoghurt, baking ( fresh focaccia for lunch) and taking time for a shower. As I write this Sarah, Cat and Geertje are reading books in various places on the deck - it is too hot inside the boat - 29 degrees……Finally our fishing gear is 75m behind the boat - no fish yet. read more...


Wolkenschlößchen - Day 2 - Oxley o'clock
Wolkenschlößchen - Day 2 - Oxley o'clock
20/11/2023

Wolkenschlößchen - Day 2 - Oxley o'clock

Our decision to hoist the Oxley parasail yesterday evening maintained to be a good choice throughout our second day at sea. We had a wonderful sailing day, cruising towards Cape Verde in perfect conditions. In these conditions, making real coffee, cooking food and snacks was a delight. If only sailing was always that beautiful!! Given the very light winds at start, we are happy with our first etmal of 143nm.The field of rally boats is getting a bit more scattered across the area but we still see some of them here and there. We also had a first fish biting but it got free before we could slow down. Next one hopefully tomorrow. We have a lot of ripe mangos and avocados that are waiting to be joined with fish for poke bowls. So, fingers crossed. We are going into the second quiet. read more...


20/11/2023

Cats Pajamas - Day 3

Well a much better day sailing gradual progress in sort of the correct direction. Dolphins dolphins and more dolphins what a spectacle jumping and playing all around the boat. Yannick caught the next Mahi Mahi so fish for dinner and the crew have all learnt to play Skip Bo card game so fun and more fun today.. read more...


20/11/2023

Cassini - Blog #56 - Monday 20 November

So onwards we go after the hugeexcitement of the first fish catch (Wahoo!) and the use of Spice No4 and someflavoured couscous to give it a good send off at dinner last night. The windovernight had been a bit variable but was freshening a little this morning, so anew sail plan was to be tried out using the Cruising Chute - a light sail thatis hoisted in a sausage looking shape which then has its skin peeled upwards sothat its inside quickly unfurls as it is opened to the wind. It was a whole teamevent to change the sail plan and it went well, with morale much improved by thelog reading increasing to over 7, and occasionally 8 knots in 14 knots ofwind.After lunch, we settled down to watch theend of The Cruel Sea, which is, of course, a vital part of Ronan's ongoingpreparation for the. read more...


20/11/2023

Hot Stuff - 26:39.459N 16:59.47W

Currently making good ground with the weather. We are looking at some possible heavier winds coming in which will help us get further south before the lighter winds come in. We have another boat ahead which we saw just after breakfast and we are starting to make ground on her. We can make out the superstructure now but not identified her as yet.Just had dolphins of the bow for the first time today. chicken wraps and beer tonight for sundowners although I think my wrap had all the birdseye chillies in one bite!Morale is good and making progress feels good although when the wind drops its a longer day without things moving.C. read more...


20/11/2023

Valent - Routine day with a treat

Monday has been a steady day in winds consistently around the 10kts. Valent has been very stately and we have taken advantage of that. This morning we had freshly baked bread and also made a lemon drizzle cake. Also in the morning we got out the camping shower bag. This is a very simple but clever contraption. The bladder holds upto 20ltr of water and one side is black. You fill the bag to the required amount and then place the bag out in the sun, black side up. In around 2 hours you have lovely hot water. The bag comes with a small shower attachment, so you hang the bag and enjoy a warm shower without wasting more water than the bag holds. 2 crew showered this morning and the rest in the afternoon. We have successfully hoisted the bag over the frd heads allowing the crew to shower in. read more...


Valent - Routine day with a treat
Valent - Routine day with a treat
20/11/2023

Blue Pepper - Day 2 - 20/11

The wind built nicely during our first night at sea and shortly after the beautiful first sunrisewe had our Code 0 flying and have been regularly clocking 8+ knots all day. Like most of the fleet we are heading just west of south to avoid some flukey winds in the forecast in the next couple of days before turning west. The butter is in the fridge, so we have decided that it will be the melting of the hazelnut chocolate that determines the right moment! Meanwhile the crew is fine. Peter has recovered from his food poisoning and we are all in great spirits and slotted into the routine of life aboard. Curry for dinner tonight! :). read more...


20/11/2023

Asante - The never ending poem

Day two is almost over.Life is settling down.Last night we wallowed down thecoast, as no wind for sails was found.Today it has been fishing talk, of whoppers that we’ll land.But while Nick and James are confident, I’m a sceptical deck hand.For I’ve heard of many catches made by both experienced and not.And to me the deciding factor is it luck,a simple true long shot.But all that aside the winds are up.Happy is the crew.As yachts disperse we see friends less.And radio calls are few.Paella is in the oven now.We eat at the end of day.But let’s be honest the talk will be of the one that got away.. read more...


20/11/2023

JaZoFi - day 2

The breeze filled in at 2AM this morning, nice strength of 14 knots abaft of the beam pushing JaZoFi at a healthy 8 to 10 knots just the way we like it. At 8AM after breakfast, we unleashed the hound and apart from regular checks, the spinnaker has looked nicely trimmed all day.  The plotter shows us in a healthy position with a few dozen large boats in close company ahead but the majority of the 160 boats following in our wake. So high spirits and good humor amongst the crew … but tomorrow is another day and still a long way from the St Lucia. The forecast suggests Tuesday to be a good fishing day – no wind and sloppy leftover seas maybe Scotty will catch us a fish to keep the spirits high.. read more...


20/11/2023

Tahira - ARC BLOG D-Day 1 [20-Nov-23] to

TAHIRA ARC BLOGD-Day 1 [20-Nov-23] toLocation: Open Seas - Atlantic Lat: 26.23N Long:16.13WOUR FIRST FULL DAY AT SEA We have now completed our first full 24 hour cycle and all is well.We are settling into the new pace of life and routines as everything slows down.After the slow start due to the lack of wind in Gran Canaria, we had a great overnight sail, and woke up to a beautiful sunny day with enough wind to keep us ticking along at 6.5 knots - perfect! Most noticeable was the sudden change from daytime to night time.Back home in our comfortable homes we would simply turn the light on and carry on, but here everything is different. In day light we can see everything, move around the boat freely and complete routine tasks without thinking about them.In stark contract, when night time. read more...


JaZoFi - JaZoFi's Hound
JaZoFi - JaZoFi's Hound
Blue Wonder - Chief pencil holder, Ed
Blue Wonder - Chief pencil holder, Ed