can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Firefly - 25k on the clock



Firefly will have covered about 170 miles during her first 24 hours of the World ARC. As noted in the previous log, Firefly had a great start on the leg to San Blas. The rally start line was set up so that there was a broad reach part way down the Island of St Lucia, then off Castries the committee boat was rounded and the next 'mark' of the course is the finish just east of the Islands of San Blas, about 1100 miles away. San Blas is about 80 miles east of Panama and we will have about a week to explore the area before heading to Panama to await our transit, scheduled for 30th January.

At 0900 local time this morning the fleet had a radio net using SSB. This seemed to go well with most of the 32 boats calling in 'loud and clear'. The fleet reported their positions during the net and it was pleasing to note that despite being one of the smallest boats, that Firefly is keeping up well.

There was an interesting coincidence at the start in Rodney Bay, that Firefly's log read exactly 25,000 nautical miles. The log works like a car milometer - so it is a record of how far Firefly has sailed since she was commissioned. By the time she returns to St Lucia in April 2015 the number will have more than doubled, the route of the Rally being about 26,000 miles.

Weather and sea conditions here are very good at the moment. The Trades are blowing in from the East at about 20 knots and the swell is relatively good with Firefly performing a manageable amount of rock and roll. The route we are taking is slightly off direct as we have to divert slightly north to go around the coast Columbia. This is notoriously a 'pinch' point where weather and waves tend to build up - at present we have a good forecast with winds moderating slightly when we reach that area and we are very much hoping that is what we will get!

Paul, Susie, Peter and Grateful (who has read that the San Blas Islands are a paradise for parrots as well)

Previous | Next