Daily Logs

Ariane - San Blas Islands

San Blas IslandsLiebe SibiriakenWahnsinn... Wir sind in einem Märchen! So wie man das zeichnen würde... Zahllose kleine und grössere mit Palmen besetzte Inselchen, es sollen 370 sein, wovon 49 bewohnt sind von den Kuna Yala Indianern, die das zu Panama gehörende Gebiet verwalten. Sie dürfen ein kleines Ankergeld einziehen, weshalb wir auch bald Besuch an Bord bekommen. Die Kuna Yala erinnern uns stark an die "südamerikanische Rasse", doch vielleicht etwas wilder aussehend. Jedenfalls sind sie sehr freundlich und verkaufen bei Bedarf auch etwas Obst. Heute werden wir mit unserem Beiboot eine der Inseln besuchen. Ein paar Bilder dieser paradiesischen Inselwelt werden noch folgen... Morgen werden wir innerhalb der Inseln nach Chichime Island segeln und dort ankern, da die WorldARC am 16.. read more...

Southern Princess - The Faces of Carnivale - Panama City

Canivale runs for four days in February, culminating with a huge procession of floats through the main streets of Panama City. Our Panama Agents escorted us to the carnival and really looked after us in a great fashion. They were kind, considerate and really made us feel safe and secure in a crowd numbering 10's of thousands. The night ended with a huge band which played until dawn although yours truly was in bed well before that. One of the best things, no one was smoking! We have since found out that Panama has banned smoking in all public places! Fantastic! The Faces & Feet of Panama City Carnival AND YOU THOUGHT I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 5 - How the other half live

I spoke too soon. Last night was a pretty horrible night on our final run into San Blas. The winds reached 30knots and as we moved through the depth contours from 3000metres to 1000metres creating a lumpy sea, Voyageur's sea going motion became less comfortable. David and I had poor quality sleep. Now we just needed to get there. The wind backed east north east to northeast, so we had no alternative but to finally roll in our "twins" and use the main and mizzen to keep Voyageur on course. By late morning at last the islands came into view, palm trees standing straight and tall, like candles on a birthday cake. We crossed the finishing line, the coordinates previously given at the skippers final briefing in St Lucia, half an hour short of six days, logging 1120nm. Now it was on with the. read more...

Southern Princess - Panama City 08:54N 79:31W

The trip through the canal was interesting. William, our pilot was a font of knowledge and if I can remember correctly, here is some information which might be of interest.  The whole system is run from fresh water originating from the rivers which pour into Largo de Gatun, a man made lake around 26 miles long. When the canal was finished, it took 10 years for the lake to fill. (It wouldn't happen in Australia, the Greenies would stop it and the politicians in power would not have enough guts to make it happen! Oops here I go again.)  There are no pumps, the system is fed by gravity. Enter the first lock on the Caribbean side from sea level and it is all salt water, the chamber fills through holes in the bottom with fresh water which is fed from the lake. This raises us up to the top and. read more...

Graptolite - Pacific Coast

08:54.70N 079:31.34W 02:00 local time. Friday 8th.Still here. Whokoows what the local drik isc called but we had lots.M. read more...

Ariane - haaaaalt... bremsen!!!

Haaaaalt... bremsen!!!Hallo SibiriakenJa, auch sowas gibt es! Der südwestliche Teil der karibischen See ist bekannt für stärkere Winde. Tatsächlich können wir uns auch nicht über dessen Mangel beklagen: Seit 24 Stunden treiben uns zwischen 20 und 26 Knoten Wind an mit entsprechender See von 3 - 4 Metern. Normalerweise würde man dies ausreizen und mit 9 - 10 Knoten vorwärts kommen. Nun - Was macht man, wenn man um 8 Uhr morgens 24 Stunden vor Ankunft noch 150 sm segeln und unbedingt am Tag ankommen muss? Richtig: bremsen! Wir segeln nun mit stark gerefftem Gross und achten darauf, möglichst nicht über 6 Knoten Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeit zu erreichen. Solche Überlegungen werden wir in der Südsee in Riffgebieten öfters machen müssen, da auch dort Sichtnavigation gefordert ist.Wir werden. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 5 - Downhill all the way!

What a great start! What a great sail! Yes there have been some bad moments on this first leg but we focus on the good, which has been fast and exhilarating sailing, following seas at our stern. The weather has been kind too. Nothing too exceptional in the way of strong winds, 25knots being the highest figure recorded on our anemometer and only one rainsquall. Voyageur has excelled herself with daily runs of over 200nm. With just 170nm to run our ETA has us arriving in the middle of the night so we have pulled in the reins slowing our stallion right down. This is one place where we plan to arrive in daylight hours. David's strategy of keeping well out from the coast has paid off. We have stayed dry in the cockpit and life down below, especially for the cook, has been very comfortable. read more...

Graptolite - The Pacific

08:54.70N 079:31.34W 23:00 6 Feb 08 near Panama CityAfter fuelling-up and taking on an American, Dixon Cole and Danish/American, Stig Pedersen for additional line-handling crew, the departure from Shelter Bay was uneventful. The group of seven yachts assembled on the Flats nearColon before dark awaiting the pilot boat. After the pilot came onboard we motored to the Gatun Locks entrance where we rafted up with a non-WARC boat called 'Scratch'. On entering the big concrete locks, which were all lit up in the dark, heaving lines, to collect the long lines, came whistling in from the line handlers on the lock walls. The gates closed behind us and we were turbulently lifted up through three giant flights to Gatun Lake where we anchored for the night. Before daybreak the Howling monkeys in the. read more...

Kealoha 8 - Into the Pacific and Crusing Las Perlas

@font-face { font-family: Wingdings; } @page Section1 {size: 612.0pt 792.0pt; margin: 72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; } P.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } LI.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } DIV.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } A:link { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.MsoHyperlink { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } A:visited { COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.EmailStyle17 { COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Arial } DIV.Section1 { page: Section1 }Well we safely passed through the canal ,. read more...

Lady Ev.VI - Daily Log

2. BerichtMittlerweile haben wir ca. 600sm zurückgelegt und den 2. Wegepunkt fast erreicht. Wir fahren nach wie vor mit Passatbesegelung und haben bei 25 Knoten, in Böen 30 Knoten Wind eine unglaublich gute Fahrt gemacht, das Etmal war 200sm. An so eine Rauschefahrt über eine so große Distanz kann sich keiner erinnern. Die Wellenhöhe war beeindruckend und uns sind hoffentlich ein paar gute Photos gelungen. Heute haben wir wieder ein paar Delphine gesehen, die sind hier viel kleiner als im Nordatlantik. Wir ändern jetzt bald unseren Kurs auf die San Blas Inseln, auf die wir uns alle schon freuen. Die Stimmung ist gut und wir hoffen, bei allen Lieben zu Hause auch.Viele Grüße von See, die Crew der Lady Ev. VI. read more...

Strega - Auf dem Karneval

Es gibt natürlich noch andere Dinge - ausser Segeln. Zum Beispiel Karneval. Gestern am letzten Tag des Karneval waren wir in Panama City und stürzten uns mitten ins Gedränge. Für die Berliner zumindest bekannt, Loveparade und Fanmeile und so ähnlich ist hier der Karneval auch. Nur viel voller, enger, heisser. Und auch wenn wir vorab vor Dieben und gewarnt wurden, lief alles recht ruhig ab (zumindest solange wir da waren, bis Mitternacht etwa) Ausser wirklich ausgedehnten Konfettischlachten waren keine "feindlichen Handlungen" zu bemerken. Keine Schlägereien, oder sonstwie aggressive Stimmung. So viele Menschen, in solcher Enge wär in Deutschland möglicherweise ein Problem...Noch ein deutlicher Unterschied, der Karneval ist ein Ereignis für die ganze Familie. Von kleinsten Säuglingen über. read more...

A Lady - Log 2 - day 4 - 10 Jan 10 - Netherlands Antillies

At 01:15 on Saturday 9 January we sailed into the main harbour on the Island of Bonaire in the Netherlands Antillies otherwise known as the Dutch West Indies. Skipper Stephen Hyde and Donal McClement navigated magnificently into the dark harbour where a couple of American girls helped with our lines. Log from St Lucia 500 nm approx.A Lady sailed like a dream, we seem to easily do 180 miles a day without too much sail, the crew are all getting on well together. The rest of the fleet have headed for the San Blas Islands. The World ARC is about enjoying everything possible.We provisioned the boat and had an excellent meal in " PATAGONIA" an Argetinial Steak house on Saturday night.Sunday morning 10 Janauary we cast off at about 10:00 and sailed 39 nm to the neighbouring island of Curacao in. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 4 - A day of records

Predictably yesterday was a day of fast downwind sailing in winds between force four and five. The seas off the headland of the Guajira Peninsula did not disappoint either. Voyageur surfed down the short steep waves under reefed headsails with ease, reaching a top speed so far of 13.4knots. David at last got his wish with a best daily run of 203nm. On our log sheet over a four hour period we recorded 40nm. The more we sail her the more she continues to thrill her with her performance, especially downwind. No, she is not a racing yacht but a most safe and comfortable cruising boat absolutely built to sail the oceans of the world. Our two crew for the Atlantic crossing Erick and Dave were generous enough to give us an iPod Touch player for Christmas, so now we while away the long hours on. read more...

Talulah Ruby II - Panama Canal

What a great trip going through the Panama Canal is! We left the Atlantic side at 5pm,and ascended 3 locks to Gatun lake in the middle, where we anchored overnight.The jungle sounds that awoke us at 0530 were fantastically loud,lots of howling monkeys and screeching birds.It is about 26 mls across the lake to the next set of locks passing all the big (really big) shipping cominy the other way.The scenery is diverse and we saw some very large alligators swimming and sunbathing all adding to the excitement,after the lake we decended 3 more locks and arrived in The Pacific Ocean we motored on to Flamingo Marina arriving at 1400. Our spare parts turned up and we have repaired our traveller ready to leave next Sunday for Ecuador,we will probably stop on the way at The Las Pearlas. read more...

Quasar V of Lleyn - log Tues 5 Feb

Tuesday 6th FebruaryTHE ADVENTURE BEGINS!A few jobs done this morning, I at last got the new version of Mailasail to work and Malcy mended the shower door in the aft heads. So far we have sailed just under 1200 nm from St Lucia, but getting into the Pacific is where we really get started!The start of our passage through the Panama Canal was delayed and we didn't leave the anchorage in The Flats until around 20:30 having picked up our pilot 'Omar'. It then took us till midnight to get through the 3 consecutive locks and anchor in Lake Gatun, but we all enjoyed the experience! The system for yachts is that they raft up in threes and there is a 125 ft line on each corner of the raft. First lock there was a small problem as the aft deck crew hadn't put their line on a winch, but after that. read more...

Lady Ev.VI - Daily Log

3.Berichtes geht uns nach wie vor gut. Nach dem Höllenritt der letzten beiden Tage mit dem Rekordetmal von gut 200sm, hat der Wind jetzt nachgelassen und wir segeln dem Ziel mit gemächlichen 5 Knoten entgegen (noch ca. 370sm).Jetzt, wo wir unsere Angel gefunden haben, ist bei Christos der Jagdinstinkt ausgebrochen und wir hoffen, heute abend auch der Kochinstinkt.Wir sind sehr gespannt auf die San Blas Inseln, stellen sie doch etwas ganz Besonderes dar.Besonders interessieren uns die dort lebenden Indianer, denen es gelungen ist, ihre alte Lebensweise zu bewahren und natürlich auch die noch intakte Natur. Andere Abwechselungen oder gar Kneipen, Verproviantierung gibt es dort nicht. Wir wettern die heiße Sonne jetzt im Schiff ab mit dem Schreiben von Mails und anderen "sinnvollen". read more...

Ariane - Etmal-Rekord!

Hallo liebe Landratten!Heute sind wir richtig stolz: Wir haben das grösste Etmal auf dieser Reise seit Denia erreicht: 188 sm (in 24 Stunden). Jetzt mussten wir den Kurs ändern, daher geht es langsamer. Auch Noeluna, unser befreundeter Kat, ist auf dem gleichen Kurs hinter uns. Noch 450 sm trennen uns von der Ziellinie in San Blas. Dann wird erst mal ausgiebig gebadet und geschwommen. Am 16. treffen sich dann alle Yachten in der Chichimebucht und sind an Land zu einem Fest mit Mahlzeit eingeladen.Unsere Daten:16.Chichimebucht Fest, vor- und nachher auch "einsames" Ankern vor der "eigenen" Bucht, bzw. Insel, von denen es in San Blas 370 geben soll.23.Shelter Bay24.Vermessung in Shelter Bay25.Transit PanamakanalWer also im Internet per Livekamera unsere Durchfahrt sehen möchte, kennt nun. read more...

Andante of Mersey - Life after St Lucia

Blog 2After our 8 day trip across the Carribean we have at last arrived at Colon (unfortunate name) but some people say the place is close to the rear end of the world. We moor in a lovely marina, Shelter Bay, for a few days R and R before our passage through the canal. To visit Colon we had to be transported by special bus and only allowed to visit an enormous Shopping Mall.The rest of the city apparently is a no go area for Gringo like us.The scenary change is amazing, the marina is surrounded by tropical jungle,we have seen strange birds, monkeys,snakes and poisonous frogs live close by and of course crocodiles. We leave lovely Shelter Bay 3:30 our time on Sunday afternoon. We anchor for a while and eventually raft up with two other yachts. In a threesome we head for the canal. read more...

Quasar V of Lleyn - Quasar V Log

Monday 4th FebruaryNO NEWS!Not much to report today. We all went on a packed coach from the marina to a shopping centre near Colon, which is a bit of a no go area. First time I've ever been in a supermarket with a sign outside saying no guns or knives, but the security guards all carried guns!Bob and Lori have been looking at wildlife: howler monkeys, coatemundi (endemic species to Panama peninsula, weaver birds, buzards, frigate birds, white heron, turkey vultures and an ant-eater!The marina is on the site of an old American air-force base and there are lots of disused buildings around in Shelter Bay and generally - all previously used by the Americans.Ate again in the marina restaurant and had an early night.Off through the canal tomorrow evening and the following day. Apparently there. read more...

Tucanon - WARC- week 1

An early morning start and a walk to the supermarket, which is open from 7amuntil 1pm on Sundays and holidays, to purchase some fresh fruit and a frozenchicken for supper tomorrow.WARC control advised us this morning that there are only three boats stilldue to arrive.Dick and Austin walked to the immigration office and checked Austin off theboat and Bob and Pili arrived with their baggage from the hotel, where theyhave been staying.While Pili tried to find a home for their belongings, Bob went along to "3Drifters", the boat that he skipped across the Atlantic, to collect the restof their stuff, including his scuba gear.We were delighted to hear that Bob and Pili were married in Menorca, shortlybefore they left to take the boat to the Canary Islands, ready for the startof ARC 2009.Sunday. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 3 - "Square waves"!

The wind and seas have started to build as we approach the corner off the Columbian coast. The last time we rounded this major headland, the Peninsula Guajira, it was the nearest Stella ever came to being knocked down and we shipped tons of water into the cockpit so naturally I am quite apprehensive about this particular part of the trip and will be glad to leave it astern. The secret to negotiating this headland is to keep well off the coast in deeper water in our case around the 3000 metre mark. The waves in this area get the name "square waves", but to me they are just big growling rollers that hiss at you as they rush past the cockpit. We encountered our first ship yesterday head on. The AIS told us his CPA (closest point of approach) was 0.3nm, much too close. Baltic Sky was doing. read more...

Graptolite - Canal Tommorrow

09:22.09N 079:57.02WWe are expecting to be into the Canal tomorrow (Tuesday). You may even get to see us on the Panama Canal webcams at http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html (just Google it, it will be easier).. read more...

Quasar V of Lleyn - Log

Sunday 3rd FebruaryUP TO OUR NECKS IN IT!We left San Blas just before Kasuje but arrived more than an hour later in Shelter Bay around 09:40 St Lucian time. Passage was OK, but I didn't sleep much. Lots of moaning about putting up more sail and racing Kasuje! I resisted the calls when I was up, on the grounds that we are not in a hurry and people on board need to sleep and be comfortable, rather than have the boat crash around all night!Approaching Shelter BayQuite an amazing sight at the entrance seeing loads of ships anchored waiting for their turn to get through. We are scheduled to leave on Tuesday.Malcy was for organising jobs as soon as we arrived, but when everyone else was congregating in the bar for a beer he was dragged kicking and screaming to get a few down his neck!. read more...

Ariane - Heute Nacht: Halbzeit!

Hallo FreundeWie beim Start der ARC erleben wir auch bei der WorldARC das gleiche Phänomen: In der ersten Nacht sieht man noch rundum einige Schiffe, so zählten wir diesmal 16 Boote. 24 Stunden nach dem Start sehen wir kein einziges Boot mehr. Dies erstaunt uns etwas, da wir alle einen relativ klaren Kurs nach San Blas abgesteckt haben, also nicht wie bei der ARC mit der Möglichkeit von Nord- oder Südkurs. Umsomehr hat es uns gefreut, als wir am zweiten Tag plötzlich wieder drei Konkurrenten entdecken. Mit der Dreamcatcher und der Lady Lisa halten wir täglichen Funkkontakt, der besonders einfach geht, da es auch Schweizer Yachten sind und die Kommunikation dadurch erleichtert wird. Am zweiten Tag kreuzt uns die Noeluna, ein Katamaran, den wir schon einige Stunden vorher beobachtet. read more...

Windflower III - Wir sind im Pazifik

Windflower IIIFlamengoBay MarinaPanamaCityWir sind im Pazifik!Nachdem wir am Samstag nachmittag um 1530 die Shelter Bay Marina verlassen haben,mussten wir zunaechst einige Zeit auf den Lotsen (Pflicht )warten,mit dem wir die Gatunschleusen und anschliessend den Kanal durchqueren sollten.Durch die Schleusung wird ein Hoehenunterschied von ca.35mtr.zwischen dem Atlantik und dem Gatunsee ueberwunden.Der Panamakanal fuehrt hauptsaechlich durch diesen See.Nachdem wir die Schleuse mit 3 hintereinanderliegenden Kammern ueberwunden hatten suchten wir uns fuer den Rest der Nacht einen Ankerplatz ,weil uns der Lotse bis zum naechsten Morgen verliess.Am Samstag morgen wurden wir durch eigentuemliche Geraeusche aus dem nahen Wald geweckt.Wie sich herausstellen sollte war es das Gebruell von. read more...

Bristol Rose - Day 3 - Friday Pizza and Movie Night.

Routines are an important part of our passage making. We are settling into our watch routines, preparing meals, checking email and checking in with the WARC net at midday each day.No matter where we are, Friday night is always a great night for pizza and a movie. Elliot is our Minister for Entertainment, elected unopposed. Tonight he is showing "Public Enemy". Robert has prepared pizza built from scratch, fresh and aromatic from the oven. So what if we are 300nm from land, the seas are rolly and the wind is pushing us westward towards the San Blas, our Friday night routine of pizza and a movie (or two) stands. Now, if we could just manage to organize a decent shower without risking life and limb, we could control some of the other aromas around here. Life is sweet.. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 2 - All is calm....

In complete contrast to yesterday's shenanigans above decks, equilibrium was restored once more to the ship and all was peace and calm. Voyageur trucked west under a clear blue sky and reasonably flat seas in steady 10 to 15 knot winds averaging 7 knots of SOG. On a dead run with poled out genoa and ballooner we did not have to adjust the sheets at all during the course of the day. At 2am that night we had our first squall bringing a short sharp burst of rain and it was only then that we had to take a few turns in the headsail roller reefing system. We had spent a thoroughly lazy day, catnapping in the cockpit, eating in between and marveling at the gracefulness of several seabirds as they wheeled and circled trying to catch flying fish for their supper. David took the first turn as net. read more...

Andante of Mersey - Panama Canal

Last evening went up three massive locks and spent night at anchor in lake.la. Early call 5.30 awaiting new pilot who hasn't turned up yet. Bacon sandwich for breakfast. Beautiful dawn-old moon setting. Today we have three downhill locks to manoeuvre. One at about 4pm your time. 12 yachts will be going through together, last night we were on the outside of the 2nd group - maybe same today.  The lock web cam will be focusing on us and so you may see us. We should arrive at our Panama City marina at teatime.Love to all from the Andante Crew.PS Please advise friends who may interested but not on the address list.. read more...

Kasuje - New skipper on board?

Hi all. After the flippant , almost irreverent daily logs that have recently been posted by the ''Kids'' I thought that today a more sober sailing description of a near perfect night time passage  would be in order. For those of you who prefer descriptions of beach soirees, finding nemo moments, and the general mayhem when we hit land , you will have to wait for another day!!  The passage from Sans Blas to Colon at the head of the Panama canal proposes to be an interesting but not over complicated sail, so in order to put to the test Guys newly acquired skills, I suggested mid afternoon prior to departure, that he should skipper the yacht on the passage!! A suggestion that was greeted with Guys, quiet, thoughtful expression.  After a few moments deliberation ''OK'' came the. read more...

A Lady - Log 1 - day 2 - Voyage Commenced

There was great excitement leaving Rodney Bay yesterday. The 27 yachts departing the marina were blowing their hooters, a steel band was playing, everyone waving and 'Good Luck' wishes being shouted in every direction.A flotilla of motor boats, yachts and ribs filled the bay and then at 12:00 the starting gun. World ARC 2010/11 had started - 30,000 miles to go!On board, Stephen Hyde, Skipper and A LADY his wife Aileen, Donal McClement, also known as Fats or Paddy and finally, Kevin Dwyer your current scribe. All four are from County Cork, Ireland.We had a lovely warm night, some of us slept in the cockpit under the bimony when not on watch. The moon rose at approx 00:15, there wer 5 dead flying fish on deck in the morning.24 hours into our voyage we have sailed approx 180 nm, we are. read more...

Bristol Rose - Day 2 - A fishy Tale

What a beautiful day to spend on the water. Clear blue skies, perfect temperature and high adventure. This morning 3 unfortunate flying fish had made their way onto the decks of Bristol Rose. These fish look like a flock of sparkling white birds scattering away from us as we surf down the waves. Later we are joined by 4 dolphins, getting in a little surfing action. They are camera shy and missed out on a photo opportunity. This afternoon Elliot caught our dinner, one of our favorites, Mahi-mahi. Dinner on the high seas can be every bit as good as any restaurant meal; Mahi Mahi filleted within minutes of the catch and fried with a light crust of flour and seasonings. To go with the fish, Trish cooked caramelized plantain and made a garden salad complete with the creamiest of Caribbean. read more...

Into the Blue - In a while......

Into the Blue had a wonderful trip through the Canal today. Swimming in the Gatun lake was not an option though as you can see from the attached photos. Perfect dental work though!DSC02527DSC02526. read more...

Jus'Do It 3 - Panama Canal

st1\:* { BEHAVIOR: url(#default#ieooui) } @page Section1 {size: 612.0pt 792.0pt; margin: 72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; } P.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } LI.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } DIV.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } A:link { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.MsoHyperlink { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } A:visited { COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.EmailStyle17 { COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-style-type: personal-compose } DIV.Section1 { page: Section1 }We had a super trip through the canal,. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 1 - Off to a flying start

Our start to the round the world was exciting in more ways than one. Having crossed the line in Rodney Bay at exactly 12oclock, all the World ARC yachts did a parade of sail down the coast to just opposite the entrance to Castries harbour where we peeled off and went on our merry way towards the first rendezvous in the San Blas islands, east of Panama. By three o'clock in the afternoon, having had a leisurely lunch David astonished me by suggesting we move Voyageur up into second gear and fly the ballooner. It normally takes him at least two days to get into true cruising mode but seeing ourselves at the back of the fleet, was too much for his competitive nature. So up we went on deck with our harnesses on. The system of flying the "twins" is different to that which we used to on Stella. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 0 - One last.....

Rum punch Mosquito bite Boat machine laundry wash E C dollar repair bill Dinner at Bosun's Locker Ice Cream from Elenas' at Café Ole!Hot and …...cold!And how hot it has been here in St Lucia over the course of the last few weeks. One would have thought I would have been acclimatised to the hot weather by now, sailing as we have been from Turkey across the Mediterranean since May. But it is so humid here. That old familiar feeling comes creeping back when perspiration gathers on your forehead and within two minutes of cooling off in the shower you are just as hot all over again. But what is cold? Cold is my feet when over the last few days I have woken up during the night and wondered what on earth am I doing here. What was I thinking about when I agreed to second time around. It is a. read more...

Strega - log

Nun auch mal ein log von der STREGA. Panama und den Kanal durchquert, liegen wir in der Flamenco Marina. Der Pazifik ist vor uns.Heute Abend gehts zum Karneval nach Panama City. Werden wir dort vielleicht ein paar "denkwürdige" Bilder machen ? :-). read more...

Quasar V of Lleyn - Log Saturday 2nd Feb

Saturday 2nd FebruaryTHE TRIALS OF BEING MR BOB MAISEYIt falls to me (Lori) to report the court proceedings. The judge arrivedcomplete with bamboo hat (Guy), counsel for the prosecution sported a bowlerhat and suitcase (Steve) and counsel for the defence wore a union jack flagon her head and a dressing gown for a robe (alas no fee pocket) (JB). Theanarchy in court was swiftly brought under control by the judge whodispensed forfeits for non-compliance of his commands. Malcy, Lindsey andthe defendant Bob fell foul of harsh sanctions and Bob ended up in the waterin his pants. Some might reasonably argue that the sanction for contemptsomewhat mirrors the behaviour that brought the defendant before the courtin the first place, but I'm merely the reporter here. The charges were readout and the. read more...

Ariane - Abschiedsparty und Start

Ariane - AbschlusspartyGestern Abend genossen wir die Abschlussparty, die durch das Tourist Office organisiert war, und zwar bemerkenswert. Bestes Essen und vielseitige Getränke wurden serviert, während die "Diamonds", eine hervorragende Steelband, die Stimmung anheizte. Die Gesellschaft war übersichtlicher als zu den ARC-Zeiten, denn es waren nur noch die Crews der WorldARC-Boote anwesend. Gegenüber der ARC mit 225 Schiffen, blieben jetzt noch 32, die ab St. Lucia die eigentliche Weltumsegelung beginnen (5 weitere Boote erwarten uns in Panama). So gelangen einige neue Kontakte, die in Zukunft mit Sicherheit noch vertieft werden. Neben dem Direktor der ARC/WorldARC, Andrew Bischop, waren auch der Touristminister und der Sportminister von St. Lucia anwesend und wünschten den Teilnehmern. read more...

Chessie - SY CHESSIE , WorldARC

Welcome back!So jedenfalls fühlen wir uns im Moment.Fast genau vor 20 Jahren im Sommer 1990 haben wir unsere gute alte PEGASUS hier in der RodneyBay verkauft und da es damals nur zur halben Weltumrundung gereicht hat wollen wir jetzt von hier wieder starten, zumindest zur anderen Hälfte.Aber nächst einmal ein paar Eindrücke, wie wir mit unserer Chessie, einer 54 ft.Irwin, Baujahr 1988, die wir im Frühjahr 2009 in Virginia gekauft haben, hierhergekommen sind.Für die, die uns nicht kennen, Eline ist unsere Tochter, die im Moment in Perth, Australien studiert.1. Mit SY "CHESSIE" in Mayreau:Wie Ihr sehen könnt, sind wir mit unserem neuen Schiff bestens in unserer "zweiten" Heimat angekommen, und haben gestern ausgiebig Jutta?s Geburtstag gefeiert.Nach zwei langen Segelschlägen einmal 11. read more...

Cleone - Day 9 - The Lonliness of the Long-Distance but slower Sailors

It's a lonely life being the duty Net Controller when you are at the back of the fleet. The last few miles always seem to take ages, and this trip was the same.  What was different was the glorious weather, the glorious scenery and the glorious wind behind us - normally the last few miles are upwind into a nasty grey sea, with cold water splashing into the cockpit and wind-over tide making for a lumpy swell.  After a role call that took all of 5 minutes, yesterday, only the last was true, but Cleone made light of it and we romped home to Panama, finishing well before it got dark and well before we anticipated.  The first batch of boats had already started their transit of the Canal just before we arrived, and groups have been leaving ever since, so we have not had a chance to catch up. read more...

Crazy Horse - Log day-1 Prepare to start

Things are getting a little hectic here on Crazy Horse as we prepare to leave for the first leg of our Round the World Cruise. We are all excited and hope we have enough food and beverages- I use the term loosely. Matt and I went to a class today on Dealing with Emergencies at Sea. Bill is doing last minute repairs on our boat and helping out with Ocean Jasper too. They have kindly helped us to purchase some of our last minute supplies as we were busy Tuesday with taking Katherine to the airport.We have all had a wonderful time here in St. Lucia but are looking forward to the San Blas Islands which is our first stop. We will try to email as often as possible but our SAT phone broke on us after only 15 days of use. The manufacturer is trying to send us another one. But I want to warn. read more...

Graptolite - Shelter Bay

09:22.09N 079:57.02WGraptolite has arrived at the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal 17:01 UTC and we are now in Shelter Bay Marina. We will probably be off through the canal on Tuesday but we have a few repairs and a few preparations to make before the canal transit including getting extra long ropes and finding the bodies to handle them.M. read more...

Kasuje - Daily Log Staurday 2nd January

Hello AllWhat a lovely day yesterday was. Skipper seems to have recovered his faculties after a long snooze in his hammock. The island is beautiful and unspoilt and has corral coming up to surface in places. We have all had a great day: Swimming through the maze of  corral, jumping off the boat, walking along the beach and obviously sleeping in the hammock: San Blas         San Blas SuzyAs the day went on a plan was hatched, party on the beach: Paella, booze, music and good company. Skipper woke up late from his afternoon sleep and keen to challenge his crew, set a deadline for hitting the beach of 3 minutes. This meant that all preparation had to be done in the dark, on a beach, with no tables. As always the crew of Kasuje demonstrated that the a leader is only as good his team and food. read more...

Sialia

There hasn't been a lot of change since yesterday. Its pretty much like day 2.Its sunny but there are clouds gathering.The winds are shifty puffy.  The beef stew is still frozen solid.Small tactical error last night cost us our dinner.Hoping for better luck and planning today.Haven't run the fridge in three days and all the food is one giant iceberg. We are still going east.We have a a current of 2.5-3 kts against us.We should have been out of the stream 15 hours ago and according to our charts it shouldn't be here so we're downloading new info on the weather, reforecasting and plotting a new course shortly. Everyone is rested and happy.We've managed to hand steer the entire time and make the best of the conditions we have.  No one has coats on anymore... its a gorgeous. read more...

Voyageur - Log Day -1 Ready and raring?.. One day to go?..

We have been here six weeks now and we are just raring to go. David and I are frequently asked how this compares to our last time around. Comparisons are odious, so the saying goes, and we do not wish to compare. We are just as excited about this around the world rally as we were the last time. As far as we are concerned it is not just about the people who we hope will become our close cruising companions for the next 15months, it is all about the next great adventure that lies ahead of us. Making new friends, having new experiences, seeing new places. The sheer joy of sailing under the stars, the whole experience of sailing upon the ocean. This is what we have come back for. This is all that we desire…….Susan MackayDo not push the "reply" button to respond to this message if that. read more...

Quasar V of Lleyn - Log

Friday 1st FebruaryROCK AND OTHER BOTTOMS!Went to borrow some wood glue from Steve to attempt another fix of the shower grating, but he insisted on doing the job himself, which of course he did much better than I would have done, which was very generous of him! We discussed the arrangements for tonight's barbeque. Malcy is going to acquire a small generator a.s.a.p. so we can power the disco lights on the beach!Amazingly spooky conversation between JB and Lori yesterday lunchtime when discussing divorces (they have/do both practiced family law) when they discovered that JB had acted for Lori's ex-husband at the start of his divorce proceedings against Lori! What are the chances of then meeting on yacht and sailing together nearly 3 years later!Skippers in Flippers!A shore excursion in. read more...

Crazy Horse - Log day-3 Zip lining

We spent an exciting day zip lining through the rain forest. There wasmuch screaming throughout the forest. They could hear us all over thisisland. We got totally wet but all had big grins on our faces despitelooking like drowned mongeese.Rosemary. read more...

Kealoha 8 - And we're off to the Pacific ....through the Panama Canal - today & tomorrow !

With our new arrivals , Diana H , accompanied by Gill & John C ,now safely arrived , we are all on our best behaviour – determined to make it a trip to remember for all the right reasons, our visitors arrived in the comfort of the glass topped train from Panama City – and met by a fleet of Taxies at the V smart train station . Nick & Rosie took the bus from Panama  - where an orderly queue  of muggers lined up for them at the  Colon bus terminus, helpfully the pre arranged  marina cab driver said “ do not get off the bus until I get there”….. image001  image002 After a lovely  meal on board , thank you Adrian & Jens, we are all well rested and ready to go .. as expected nothing is straight forward in Panama , we will be leaving the marina on Saturday  evening circa. read more...

Tucanon - Pre-WARC, Messing about in the Caribbean

It was the day after Christmas day, Dick and I finished off indexing the charts which Sreco and Olga had kindly brought for us, to Las Palmas from Gosport. Those charts which are not relevant for the next twelve months have been put back under the bed in the port hull bow cabin, which is now ship shape and ready for Austin to occupy when it is convenient for him to move from the aft cabin. There is no rush as Bob and his girlfriend Pili wont be moving on board until early January. Igor had to go to work this morning which meant that both he and Caroline were in their dingy, having already left their boat, ready to go ashore by 7.30am. That evening we went aboard Caroline's boat for drinks and supper of prawn stroganoff, cooked by Igor. It was most delicious.Their boat, unlike ours is. read more...

Jeannius - Test: Log will appear soon

Jeannius' log will appear here soon. Test logs have been received.. read more...

Page 107 of 223  105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126