Seawalk - 26-11-2008 24:11N 18:39W Atlantic Crossing, day 4: Do I still remember the Las Palmas ARC parties?

Wow, I have been so busy lately. Fixing the boat, getting supplies, getting more supplies and again getting more supplies. I asked my wife Isabelle ‘How the hell are we going to store all this, we don’t even have our fruit and vegetables yet!’ But we’ve managed somehow. I’ve put extra boxes next to our bed, hung extra netting in the galley and rearranged the forward cabin. Our temporary crew member Yannick is sleeping with 2 bicycles (the other 2 are stored on deck, yes we have 4 bikes because we’re Dutch, its our heritage), 100 cans of beer (nope, we’re not running a dry boat), 50 cans of Shandy and 75 cans of coke. If he ever has trouble sleeping, he could count the cans. That should do the job. And between getting supplies we’ve done many. read more...

Seawalk - Atlantische oversteek, dag 2

We have left. I actually thought we would be more nervous starting a few days before the actual start. That was not the case. Especially because we were very busy with the preparations. Even on the morning of the start we were busy with preparing Seawalk for her trip. Details about the last week are still to be written down and will follow later. We were about the last boat across the starting line and were sailing behind the fleet most of the day. Day 1 was wonderful sailing weather. With the Genaker, the boat went very nice and quick.  In the evening it became a little too much (often 9 knots with a max of 10.2 knots), so we took off the Genaker and went further on the Genua 1.Unfortunately the wind died down a few hours later and we only clocked about 4 -5 knots most of the night with. read more...

Seawalk - 25-11-08 25:33N 17:28W Atlantic crossing, day 3 No Wind but Happy crew

Everybody has gotten used to sailing and swinging again. Luckily for us the swell is very gentle, but unfortunately the wind is very gentle too. With this situation, living aboard is very good and comfortable. Much better than anticipated and definitely better than our crossing from Gibraltar to Lanzarote. The kids can wander around easily and have adjusted very well to the slight movements of SeaWalk.  Last night we´ve put up 150 square meters, the maximum I have aboard. This consists of the 90 m2 Genaker and the 60 m2 Genua, both of them boomed to the limit. And even with the huge (I know, the Oysters in front of the fleet will laugh at it) sail area we’re only doing 2 – 3 knots which is actually pretty good in this wind. Still, quite frustrating! In the morning the wind left us. read more...

Seawalk - 27-11-08 23:04N 20:16W Atlantic Crossing, day 5: A lifelong dream coming true

Yes, finally. I´ve sailed 7000 miles in 8 years on various seas and one ocean and finally my lifelong dream came true today. A full-blown WHALE! Oh sure, I’ve seen many pilot whales but I consider them a big cousin of our beloved dolphins.  My dream to see a full size whale even took me so far as Polynesia for our honeymoon because in Augustus I would be able to see many humbug whales. Alas no such luck, I guess I’m more lucky in love. But today Neptune was smiling at me and gave me a big gift. Just next to the boat!  At first we were looking at some strange water next to us, like an oil slick completely flat. And then it happened. A Minke (I think) whale emerged and made a big BLOW and slowly submerged again. I slowed the boat immediately and called the kids. But after. read more...

Seawalk - 28-11-2008 21:42N 21:54W Atlantic Crossing – day 6 Tête à tête with Offspring

    Well well,5 days sailing and 500 miles. And guess what, who do wemeet just next to SeaWalk? Our neighbours from pontoon 17 Offspring. After atalk on the VHF we continue our conversation directly. We were that close.   It was ashame it lasted so short since Offspring had at least ½ knot of boat speedextra. Sadly they overtook us. During the day we saw them coming toward usflying a huge yellow spinnaker and at dusk they put on beautiful twin trade windforesails. We can’t beat that with our Genaker and our Genoa atnight.   The windhas finally found us which is a very good thing. Typing this blog is gettingdifficult too since the swell has picked up too. Sad to say the boat speed isnot good yet. The wind is at 120 degrees and I should be flying the Genoa without. read more...