Sorry about the delay in providing a final log update on our Atlantic passage. Our passage time was 15 days, 18 hours, 42 minutes and 30 seconds. We had excellent weather for the crossing with most of the wind being of the traditional trade winds blowing from the east at speeds from 15 to 25 knots. When we encountered a squall the winds increased some, but the highest wind we encountered was only 35 knots. The double head sail system did an excellent job of spilling wind off the top during the gusts and all the crew except for one enjoyed the thrill of the higher winds and Lone Star surfing down the waves at speeds as high as 11.5 knots.
The passage was not without incident. We encountered a number of issues with the boat, but were able to overcome each one. From what I have been able to pick up along the dock, we had fewer problems than many of the boats. We are also very fortunate that Amel’s Caribbean maintenance facility is only 25 miles away on Martinique so I spent some time compiling an A to Z laundry list of items I want to discuss with them. It has been over two years since Lone Star has been seen by an Amel technician and I am looking forward to having the experts help me sort out some of the issues.
Lone Star also had its own human drama while underway. One of our crew mates seemed to think he could ignore safety procedures and I had to explain, on more than one occasion, that rules related to Personal Flotation Devices are not to be ignored. I also listened to numerous excuses for his behavior and marveled that not once during the 16 days we were at sea did he initiate any breakfast or lunch time meal. He did begrudging cook every fourth day because I insisted that all of the crew (including myself) participate as cooks for the evening meal. Finally, an interesting item was found during the boat clean up activities after the disgruntled crew mate left Lone Star for a hotel on land. We found an empty bottle of Grand Canarias Licor de Moras in the cubby by his bunk. I don't know what the story is with it and will probably never find out. I find it disturbing, however, that one of the crew may have been drinking in his bunk and then going out to stand a night watch. This was the first time as skipper I have had to deal with a less than cooperative ship mate and at times found it challenging. However with the help of my other two crew members who were nothing short of fantastic, we were able to overcome the problems of the 4th and formed a tight cohesive unit of three.
Yesterday (December 6th) was a day of celebration. Not many people can say they crossed the Atlantic in a sailboat and we are proud to now be a part of this group. We are off to Martinique tomorrow to take Lone Star in the Amel maintenance facility in Le Marin and then everybody heads home for the holidays.
Fair winds,
Craig