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03/12/2023

Freedom - Blog 14 Saturday 2nd December 2023

Editor Nigel HHi everyone, best wishes from pretty much smack bang in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. I hope you are all well and about to enjoy your weekend. The freedom fighters will certainly endeavour to enjoy theirs. Not a difficult task when you have been blessed with such an experience. Morale is still very good onboard, and as some have commented via their responses to these blogs, it is so pleasing that the five of us seem to continue to ‘Gel well’. Personally I would like to say thank you to one particular response from Rachel the decorator for her very kind prayers for our blessed and safe passage. 14 days on, in approximately 1hr we will watch the log tick down to 1000nm to go. At current speeds, that should get us into St Lucia around Saturday afternoon 10th Dec. I’m not. read more...


02/12/2023

Asante - Day 14 of the never ending poem

Day 14, and we’re close, to a Carribean Isle.Though a distance of 800, can take us quite a while.But we have the wind, the sails are full.The fishing lines are out.When down below while baking, I heard the ‘fish on’ shout.It was a whopper, no small thing.Two of the lines were tangled.And as the boys reeled in the catch, with a marlin they now wrangled.Now many boats would take on board, this marvel of the sea.But we all think, what is the point, in slaughtering such beauty.We don’t need the meat to eat.Our cameras tell the story.No need to hold it way up high, just for a moments glory.So as we reel the big fish in, we say a fond farewell.We cut the line and off she goes, with a splash of her big tail.So look below and you will see, the one we let away.We’ll all sleep well and feel. read more...


Asante - Day 14 of the never ending poem
Asante - Day 14 of the never ending poem
02/12/2023

Cassini - blog #63 - The Finish Line Approaches

Well here we are with just over 24 hours and 150 milesto go, and and we look set fair for an arrival in Grenada sometime tomorrowafternoon. This has been a long journey and I don't just mean themiles. It is now 15 months since we bought Cassini and hatched a plan to do theARC+ and visit the Caribbean this winter. In that time we have had many ups anddowns, and some times when I thought we would not make it. From preparing theboat to selecting and preparing the crew it has been hard work, but with a keenfocus on the aim and the great achievement it will be.    We had challenges: just getting to the start line fromthe UK with fickle weather and some serious breakages that cost us time (andmoney). The weather never did what it was supposed to do and we spent a lot oftime motoring. read more...


02/12/2023

Pure Fun - ARC 2023 - Schon wieder 19:00 Uhr, die Zeit rennt davon…

Schon wieder ein Tag kurz vor Sonnenuntergang…..würden wir doch so schnell segeln wie die Zeit vergeht….doch wir zuckeln ganz gemächlich mit 5-7 Kn dahin. Haben wechselnde Winde, 13-17 Knoten. Gestern segelten wir unter Parasailor da wir den Wind von Achtern hatten. In der Nacht drehte er dann zurück auf 120-140°. So beschlossen wir beim Wachwechsel um 3:00 Uhr denn Parasailor gegen Großsegel mit Code0 zu wechseln. Da wir in ähnlicher Situation vor ein paar Tagen entschieden, nicht in der Nachtzu wechseln sondern bis zum Morgen zu warten, wurde es dann 11:00 Uhr. Dadurch segelten wir viele Stunden einen weniger optimalen Kurs. Letzte Nacht segelten wir nach dem Segelwechsel wieder 7-9 Kn anstatt 5 Kn. Das macht über viele Stunden einiges aus. Das Ziel rückt näher….die frischen Vorräte. read more...


02/12/2023

Vitamin Sea - Tag 12: Fang, Unwetter und Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktionen, Freitag, der 01. Dezember 2023

Die Nacht vom 30. November auf den 01. Dezember 2023: Einsamkeit und Routine Die Nacht auf Freitag verlief wieder ruhig und ereignisarm, ohne größere Vorkommnisse. Squalls, die sich auf dem Radar zeigten, verflüchtigten sich jedes Mal, sobald sie näherkamen. Die Natur scheint es gut mit uns zu meinen.Mittlerweile war kein anderes Boot mehr in einem Abstand von 10 bis 12 Meilen zu erkennen. Unsere Begleiter der letzten Tage haben offenbar eine etwas nördlichere Route eingeschlagen und scheinbar etwas schneller unterwegs als wir. Plötzlichfühlt es sich sehr allein an auf hoher See.Unsere Routine bei den Nachtwachen hatte sich mittlerweile eingespielt und jeder von uns konnte seinen verdienten Nachtschlaf zur vorgesehenen Zeit genießen. Wir sind uns aber bewusst, dass sich die Situation. read more...


Vitamin Sea - Tag 12: Fang, Unwetter und Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktionen, Freitag, der 01. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 12: Fang, Unwetter und Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktionen, Freitag, der 01. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 12: Fang, Unwetter und Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktionen, Freitag, der 01. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 12: Fang, Unwetter und Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktionen, Freitag, der 01. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 12: Fang, Unwetter und Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktionen, Freitag, der 01. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 12: Fang, Unwetter und Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktionen, Freitag, der 01. Dezember 2023
02/12/2023

Northern Light II - Saturday 2nd December

Finally a fish. A metre long 20kg barracuda with extremely sharp teeth, was pulled on board by Skipper and Tom yesterday afternoon. The boys thought they had caught a wahoo, but closer examination revealed a different tail and dorsal fin. Sadly barracudas can’t be eaten because of the possibility that they carry ciguatera poison.  It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that we’re in the middle of the Atlantic.  Life on board is inwards looking and introspective, focused on the cockpit, the cabin and the galley. In these small spaces the five of us gather and move around each other on watch, resting or cooking. Because of the heat we haven’t once sat in the saloon. The noises in these spaces are varied. Music is always playing in the cockpit. Chill out tracks at nighttime. read more...


02/12/2023

Adina - blog Day 14 - The latest whodunnit is ‘who ate all the digestives?’

Today has brought another sunny day to Adina and her crew - wind 10-15kts from the east and we have increased our average speed by half a knot or so. The crew have a sweepstake in place for arrival time at Rodney Bay, but with over 1200 miles still to go there is ample opportunity for a delay. Yesterday saw us travel 147 miles, just short of our target of 150 miles a day. It has been two days since we saw another boat, but we keep in contact with other yachts by radio.Over the last few days we have noticed a significant increase in seaweed and in the early hours of this morning we had to unburden the Watt&Sea turbine, called Moaning Lisa, as she started to wail in protest. We fear she may now need regular attention to keep her quiet. Her close friend, Lucy the hydrovane, continues to. read more...


02/12/2023

Blue Pearl - we have arrived!!!

After a slightly stressful last 10 miles with a squall, no wind then beating into wind trying to avoid a tiny fishing boat with no lights, we found our way to the marina this morning. Having not corrected time in small increments during the crossing we were faced with a 2 hour time difference which made it abit confusing! Safety mooring on the super yacht pontoon for a few hours we then moved to our permanent berth. We are nicely located and now all checked in with the marina and customs, I made the most of fewer people on boat to get rid of the dirt and salt form the cockpit, now we can sit without getting our free clothes salty. We are all quite tired but glad to have arrived, I don’t think it has fully set in yet that we’ve crossed the Atlantic, maybe by tomorrow it will have!!. read more...


02/12/2023

Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited

A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 RevisitedSince James wrote “A Day in the Life of Skyelark 2” when we had1,000 nautical miles on the clock a lot has happened. We now have less than 900 miles to go. Skipper is running a competition to guess ourarrival time - all but one of us have Thursday 7th. Skipper’s estimate is 6am so just five more sleeps!!Since James’s update we have done a lot of sailing. It’s a slow wind year but we have had enough breeze to sail continually for the last 1,100 miles. Mostly with the wind behind us “goose winged” with the mainsail and staysail on one side and the big genoa out on a pole on the other side. Every day or so skipper calls for a Gybe. This involves most of us. Bringing the pole in then moving it to the other side.Furling the two smaller sails. Bringing. read more...


Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Skyelark 2 - A Day in the Life Of Skyelark 2 Revisited
Manaia - Less than 40 nm…
Manaia - Less than 40 nm…
Manaia - Less than 40 nm….
Manaia - Less than 40 nm….
02/12/2023

Wolkenschlößchen - Day 13 - Wind or no wind

It feels like we are closing in on our final days towards Saint Lucia. It is getting really hot during the days, making our daily bucket shower a small highlight of the day. Luckily, we also still have a good amount of ice cream that we made of ripe bananas instead of letting them go bad. We are surprised, anyhow, how good many of our vegetables are surviving in this weather. We are still enjoying plenty of fresh produce and did not even think about using any canned or durable food. Healthy sailing! Today also marked 1st December and Lonneke could finally (!!!) open the first Christmas calendar pack. She was soooo excited and happy! Sailing these days remains comfortable with calm winds dominating most of our days and nights. We are having 8-10kts of tail wind which our oxley. read more...


Wolkenschlößchen - Day 13 - Wind or no wind
Wolkenschlößchen - Day 13 - Wind or no wind
Wolkenschlößchen - Day 13 - Wind or no wind
Wolkenschlößchen - Day 13 - Wind or no wind
02/12/2023

Cats Pajamas - Penultimate Day

So we cant see land but we know it’s out there, as we start to make some preparations for the final night and finish line. Hoping to have a close finish with two other Class 4 Catamarans after 2440nm separated by a couple of nautical miles on the other side still amazes me. Champagne is on ice and we are ready to try land again. What an amazing crew a month in one room no escape sharing everything and not a single dispute or argument despite the stress of it all.Love CP. read more...


02/12/2023

Vitamin Sea - Tag 11: Donnerstag an Bord: Angeln, Hitze und Notfallvorsorge, Donnerstag, der 30. November 2023

Die Nacht vom 29. auf den 30. November 2023: Eine entspannte Nacht auf dem Achterdeck Die Nacht auf den Donnerstag verlief erneut ohne größere Aufregungen. Das Boot "Sea Dweller", das uns seit einiger Zeit begleitet hatte, blieb weiterhin hinter uns. Der Mond am Nachthimmel hat bereits deutlich abgenommen, und es gab keineAnzeichen für Squalls oder ungewöhnliche Wetterereignisse.Allerding hat sich unsere Routine etwas geändert. Anna hat ihre Nachtwache statt am Steuerstand auf dem Achterdeck übernommen, bequem halb liegend an unserem Esstisch. Aufgrund von Rückenschmerzen machte das sehr viel mehr Sinn. Dennochhat sie unser Cockpit portabel auf dem ipad jederzeit sichtbar vor sich. Wir haben dennoch darauf bestanden, dass sie alle 10 Minuten zum Steuerstand für einen Rundumblick geht.. read more...


Vitamin Sea - Tag 11: Donnerstag an Bord: Angeln, Hitze und Notfallvorsorge, Donnerstag, der 30. November 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 11: Donnerstag an Bord: Angeln, Hitze und Notfallvorsorge, Donnerstag, der 30. November 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 11: Donnerstag an Bord: Angeln, Hitze und Notfallvorsorge, Donnerstag, der 30. November 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 11: Donnerstag an Bord: Angeln, Hitze und Notfallvorsorge, Donnerstag, der 30. November 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 11: Donnerstag an Bord: Angeln, Hitze und Notfallvorsorge, Donnerstag, der 30. November 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 11: Donnerstag an Bord: Angeln, Hitze und Notfallvorsorge, Donnerstag, der 30. November 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 11: Donnerstag an Bord: Angeln, Hitze und Notfallvorsorge, Donnerstag, der 30. November 2023
Vitamin Sea - Tag 11: Donnerstag an Bord: Angeln, Hitze und Notfallvorsorge, Donnerstag, der 30. November 2023
Manaia - Bird Taxi…
Manaia - Bird Taxi…
02/12/2023

Risque Business - Where Are All The Marine Animals

11:47.39N 56:7.30W0715GMT, Saturday 2nd Dec 2023. One thing has struck me on this voyage is the scarcity of all marine animals that we’ve seen when compared to my previous ARC crossing in 2019. On that voyage, we had dolphins nearly every day, either popping by for a quick “Hello”, or more usually a bit of playtime on the bow wave. On one occasion, a large pod stayed for well over an hour, taking turns to surf or simply undertake high-speed manoeuvres from all angles under the yacht. Sadly on this trip, we’ve only seen these joyous creatures a couple of times. We’ve also not seen any whales on this trip, with two sighted on the last. In addition, sea birds have been sighted in a different manner. We’ve had the odd bird pass by every day, including the egret that perched on our solar. read more...


Risque Business - Where Are All The Marine Animals
Risque Business - Where Are All The Marine Animals
Meribel - Fresh catch today by Meribel
Meribel - Fresh catch today by Meribel
Risque Business - Where Are All The Marine Animals
Risque Business - Where Are All The Marine Animals
Risque Business - Where Are All The Marine Animals
Risque Business - Where Are All The Marine Animals
Risque Business - Where Are All The Marine Animals
Risque Business - Where Are All The Marine Animals
02/12/2023

Tahira - ARC BLOG D-Day 13 [02-Dec-23]

TAHIRA ARC BLOGD-Day 13 [02-Dec-23]Location: Mid-AtlanticLat: 14.23N Long: 40.01W Meet the crew:Andy 'the Blog' Bruce How would you describe yourself in one sentence?- Andy is an eternal optimist that loves family, sport and adventure.What is your first favourite piece of music and why? - Andy loves 'Follow you, follow me' by Genesis - the melody and movement in the song reminds him of riding his Honda 900cc motorcycle at 120mph around the New Forest in his Southampton days.He last saw Genesis live at the O2 in 2022 - perhaps their last tour.What is your greatest achievement in live to-date?- For Andy, climbing mountains with friends and his son Jonny, building a floating home and creating his business Softools come to mind, but ultimately passing P-company to receive his red beret and. read more...


02/12/2023

JaZoFi - day 13

A bit more variation in the weather in the last 24 hours with some lighter winds, then stronger winds then a heavy downpour under a very low black cloud late at night. This was combined with some solid 27 knot winds for a few hours which had JaZoFi humming at a perfect angle to St Lucia. Visibility was very low so sailing into the abyss not know what was in front kept the senses primed. Earlier in the day we caught another Mahi Mahi, perfect size for 5 fillets which was prepared and on the BBQ in less than 90 minutes lunch was superb, fresh fish in a wrap with salad. Everyone is in high spirits in anticipation of terra firma under our feet and a Caribbean rum in our hand.. read more...


01/12/2023

Asante - Day 13 of the never ending poem

Day 13 has me seeing, just how very tired I am. Cos the limerick I did last night just seemed to fail to scan.I had forgotten totally, that the story I submit, must be produced in story form, not a poem, what a twit. But that was not the only blip, that showed how tired I am. I had set my watch for midnight.Or that had been the plan.But Nick he came a knocking.Ten minutes late he’d say.Cos I had muddled the clocks midnight with the middle of the day.It’s lunchtime now and I must put, my QM hat back on.To check the sneaky crew, have not taken food while I was gone.I’m hoarding every scrap, of red meat that I can hide. Cos don’t forget one crewman, says veggie meals he can’t abide.I’ve counted once, I’ve counted twice.Of the meals I have to go.And I think we’re fine.Providing we don’t go. read more...


02/12/2023

Aqualuna - I Can Almost See The Pub From Here!

So this day 15 and our very last day of our Atlantic crossing. What a strange, bittersweet feeling it is to be on the home run with only 140 miles to go. We have dreamed of doing this crossing for as long as we have known each other - for over 30 years - and now it is almost at an end.What a truly extra-ordinary adventure this has been. We have experienced challenging, and sometimes terrifying times - and we have experienced sublime sailing conditions that have entirely bewitched us. I have fallen in love with this great watery wilderness that has beguiled me with its ever changing light, colours and moods. We have frolicked with dolphins, soared along with the lonely sea birds and laughed out loud at the antics of the flying fish. We have celebrated sunrises and sunsets and gloried in. read more...


Aqualuna - I Can Almost See The Pub From Here!
Aqualuna - I Can Almost See The Pub From Here!
Loreley - Going well tonight. Around 10 kts watched by the moon.
Loreley - Going well tonight. Around 10 kts watched by the moon.
01/12/2023

Champagne Hippy - Day 12/13- 30th Nov/1st Dec

The last two days there really hasn’t been much new to update you on. We haven’t seen any wildlife in the daytime and have had fleeting visits from the odd dolphin here or there across night watches. Sunrises and sunsets have set the sky on fire and have really been something to behold. The moon has also still been massive post its full moon phase a few days ago. We have attempted fishing however after three exciting and exhausting reels in yesterday only to discover weeds on the hook disappointment was rife and Rodney was retired. This morning another attempt was give with a different smaller lure. Sure enough not long after setting up the reel ran hard and fast. How exciting this fish has to be huge we thought. Reeling it in was a short battle as whatever monster catch was on the other. read more...


Champagne Hippy - Day 12/13- 30th Nov/1st Dec
Champagne Hippy - Day 12/13- 30th Nov/1st Dec
01/12/2023

Blue Pepper - Blue Pepper - Day 13, 1/12

Here we are at sea in the tropics on the first day of December and it’s difficult to relate to the run up to Christmas at home!Aboard Blue Pepper we are all very relaxed and enjoying the downhill trade wind ride. Our course is now set directly for St Lucia 1010 miles west of us. The days are hot down below but perfect under the bimini and at night. Yesterday we had our ‘Middle of the Atlantic’ celebration. After the excitement of which, today we turned slightly to roll straight down the waves to minimise the rolling stress on the washing machine and had a laundry day!. read more...


01/12/2023

Adrienne - Das Seegras kommt

01.12.2023Blogautoren Steffi und ThorstenLiebe Fans und Follower der Adrienne,heute schreiben wir nun den 01. Dezember. 1.177 Seemeilen liegen noch vor uns. Da der Passat inzwischen erfreulich stetig weht, haben wir von gestern 1600 UTC bis heute 1600 UTC einen neuen Rekord beim Etmal erreicht: 167 Seemeilen in 24 Stunden. Dies entspricht einer Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeit von rund 7 kt. Es geht also voran, und die 1.000 Seemeilen Distanz werden in den nächsten 24 Stunden erreichbar.In der zurückliegenden Nacht mussten wir sogar ein Reff ins Groß und in die Genua einbinden, was zu einem ruhigeren Lauf bei gleichbleibendem Speed beitrug. Die Nächte sind lau und warm und erlauben uns als Segelbekleidung Shorts, T-Shirt und Flip-Flops. Natürlich ergänzt durch die Rettungsweste und. read more...


Cloud Jumper - Dorado and Couscous
Cloud Jumper - Dorado and Couscous
Cloud Jumper - Pete helming
Cloud Jumper - Pete helming

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