Soma - log 29 Nov

The Boat: "SOMA" 38 foot Nautor Swan. Launched April 1974. A classic yacht with pedigree. The name derives from a herb that is associated with relaxation and means drug of life (so we believe!) and is therefore entirely appropriate for this type of event.The Crew: Nick. Skipper. Solicitor by day and keen yachtsman / owner of SOMA. Has always wanted to participate in the ARC.Clarke. Navigator. Naval Officer in between appointments and therefore able to spend yet more time on the water. He has a very understanding and patient wife who is now waiting yet another month for her house to be decorated.Tim. Sailing Master. An accomplished yachtsman and capable craftsman who brings the combined experience of sea kayaking and mountain climbing to this adventure.The Adventure. The crew formed in. read more...

Soma - Living the dream!

BLOG 212 Dec 08Hello everybody. It is some time since our last blog (of 29 Nov), but as you will read below, we have been very busy and therefore our blog activities have taken a low priority of late.OK - we have made fair progress towards the Caribbean, over 2,000 miles covered with a tad over 600 remaining. Our ETA in Rodney Bay is late 17 or early 18th Dec (hopefully in 2008....), but we have noticed a distinct lack of strong winds during this ARC, and notably a wind hole from 38-43 degrees West where the seas were like a billiard table. Good for the sun tan, but not ideal for energising an 11 ton yacht across an ocean. However, things are now looking up and we are making good progress at around 5-5.5 knots.A few days ago, Clarke was sunning himself by the wheel whilst Tim and Nick. read more...

Soma - So near yet so far!

The adventures continue onboard Soma.We originally thought that crossing would take around 21 or 22 days. Not unreasonable for the size of boat and probable winds. The frustratingly light winds have put us back and now a 25 day passage seems more likely. Hopefully we'll arrive before the official closure of the finish line. Expecting to her sounds of "come in yacht 224 your time is up". Well we haven't been Island hopping and sampling the rum on other Islands but have diligently followed the routing suggestion offered by the event's meteorologist at the Skippers briefing. No complaints as there's not a lot one can do in a small yacht but by and large accept the weather one's given.Thank God though for the discovery of further liquid supplies (Martini-fitting for the 007 on board-Naval. read more...