Happy Cat - Beach party weather

The universe has conspired once again to provide the ideal conditions for a beach party, warm sunny and no wind, which would be great if we were near a beach and not on "Happy Cat" with 175 miles to go. So here we are motoring in a lazy sea for the second day. On my night watches I have been thinking about Chris Columbus and his journey across the Atlantic, story goes after many days at sea, he woke up like me this morning, had a bowl of cereal and fruit , checked his Raymarine and muttered to himself ..."Must be close to the edge soon".. (or something like that) But one day he did wake up and did see land and the world changed forever. One more thing...Mr. C had it good, these trade vwinds are amazing, blowing constantly for weeks on end, he. read more...

Happy Cat - Rainy day in Georgia

Well howdy, today has been a old fashioned rainy day (along with some decent wind - 33kt max, and a good accompanying swell to provide the rock and roll) Of course pete has the appropriate soundtrack on his iPod.  Someone tell me he ever did any work.   Yesterday duty chefs Pete and yours truly caught the fish, made the beer batter and cooked up a health giving feed of fush and chups, or feesh and cheeps as he insisted.  We think we have exhausted all fish recipies including japanese (sushi), brazillian (not what you would think) kuwi (fush fingers) pom (yesterdays brew|) and I have forgotten what else.  Lines are forbidden back in the water unless we see tuna.   We stopped and had a swim yesterday too, amazing colour, a real highlight.   Today I arranged an. read more...

Happy Cat - Steady as

It's hard to believe two weeks at sea, have passed today,  5- 6 days to go and that's the Atlantic crossed. We have had light winds for the last two days, so motored, and gave everyone a restful night. No sails flogging about as the swells go through. Have had a whale following us and playing around the boat for 3 mornings.  Seems to stay an hour.  Great sight as a large wave rises behind us, to see a Whale surfing along in it. Food and drinks all holding up. Everyone in good spirits. Had the generator stop with no diesel. Appears to have a faulty lift tube in the port tank.  So after much technical analysis from too many Engineers, we switched tanks, bleed the system and away again.  Another thing to repair when we get there. Lucky to have had such a. read more...

Happy Cat - First Whale

It seams as though every day we are given a special treat.  This mornig, as the sun came up, Nathan and I both spotted a larger than usual splash, and sure enough it was a whale!  He was never consistant with his moves.  At times we would see the splash in the distance and than I would spot him 1 mt. from the boat, swiming by our side, and even right through the middle of the hulls.  And at least on six occasions he rose up out of the water, turning his body, exposing his white belly, 10 mts in front of the boat!  My splash pictures are quite impressive!  He stayed with us for at least an hour.  We think it was a baby Mink whale. Being overrun by a 30mt. yacht to our starboard side, at present. Its always nice to see another vessel in the horizon.. read more...

Happy Cat - Steady as.

Not a lot to report today.  We are sailing right on our course so no wasted motion. Every scrap of canvas up to make the most of the 10 to 18kt breeze.  We did drop the geneker before the night shift last night because there were a few squalls about.  Lots of flying fish about, and one got his nav wrong and did a face plant on the side of the cabin.  We sent him back as bait but no luck.  I had the lures out on the crack of dawn.  We hooked up soon after but Jim clumsily lost him. (Actually it was a big beast and was stripping line until he tightened the drag on (80lb line) until it broke him off)    Our gourmet experience aboard continues, Marina's Venezualan corn cakes and side dishes.  We mighten be the fastest. read more...