Daily Logs

"A LADY TRIP" Sailing around the World (presently at sea)

Thursday, 8th April 2010  The big Catamaran " silver Cloud " left the fuel dock during the night, having taken on board 20,000L of diesel. A real strange looking vessel. Basically it was built on two submarine type hulls below the water which housed the engines, the generators and all her equipment.  06.00hrs We reversed up to the Fuel dock and duly got our allowance of 400L, we only had 400L left on board, so now we have a total of 800L plus 700L of water in our water tank. We paid 80 Euros when we arrived on the Islands so this allows us take any amount of fuel on board at half price. 08.00hrs  We anchored in the bay and decided not to leave until we had lunch, as we do not want to arrive in the atolls in the dark of night. It could prove. read more...

Whitbread - log

Top of the mornin!its excellent sailing again, its been so long over a month! bloody equator..  bloody engines  Over the last 24 hrs we have covered 180 miles , 'not so far' i hear you cry..... only an average of 7.5 kts. But all of it has been done under sail , so good not hearing the engine and feeling the boat move with motion of the paciffic , last night the sky was so clear , even the miky way was dazzling, till the moon came out , she's nearly 2/3 rds full and you could read a book in the cockpit she was so bright. we had our big pink gennaker flying all night starting with light airs and only doing 7 kts. gradually the wind got stronger as we found the trades, and were soon flying along at 11.5 kts!such a differance from motoring, when crew find the helm boring. Not being on a. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 68 - Drying out!

6 April 2010I refer to the boat, not our livers! After a stressful 24hours, the first being at anchor on Ua Huka where all night we could hear the surf pounding on the rocks behind us and the wind gusting from the high mountain range that surrounded the bay.At 5.30 am we looked across to Ronja. Like us, they were up and also like us eager to leave. Dreamcatcher were also awake and we set out a threesome. The swell was high and the wind still blowing from the east. The plan had been to go to an anchorage in the north of Nuku Hiva for shelter from the wind and swell. However halfway across Dreamcatcher lost all steering. Being nearest to them we circled around them under engine for the hour that it took them to connect up the emergency steering. Failing that we would have taken them in tow. read more...

Crazy Horse - Journey to Tuamotus

We left on Monday and are out here in the Pacific making our way to Rangiroa. We had planned to go to Manihi but would have arrived in the dark and abandoned that idea. So we will keep moving until we arrive at Rangiroa hopefully early Friday morning so we can arrive in the light and at low tidewhich is 6 or hi tide which is at noon. We got that information from Eric in Maryland who found it out through the internet.These next islands which we will visit are lagoons which are tricky to get into because of the currentand coral and tides. Running aground here and in the Chesapeake are two different things.We are looking forward to a nice quiet anchorage not too rolly. I would also like to visit the pearl harvesting company which is located on this island.It is dark now and we see the light. read more...

Ideal - Day 6

Day 6We finally found the Trade Winds two days ago and have been speedy sailing ever since. Yesterday we logged 180 miles, which puts us at 885 for the trip so far! Only 2,100 to go. We've been cruising along at 7-8 knots under a 17 knot wind from the ESE.We still haven't had any luck fishing (unless you count the flying fish and Portuguese man-o-war that made their way onto our deck) and haven't seen much wildlife except a few pods of high flying dolphins with no interest in us.. read more...

Jus'Do It 3 - tuna!

Saturday 15.03.08We carry on throughout the afternoon and into the night,8 – 9 knots with up to 2 knots current. At sunset we notice more birds all of a sudden, shearwaters and petrels are ducking and diving all around. Annie says that means we’re going to catch a fish soon – the words are barely out her mouth when the can rattles! (the hand-line is rigged with Stewy’s high tech tin can alarm system). Unfortunately the fish is off before we get it in. This same scenario happens again about half an hour later. We decide it will be third time lucky. It’s another beautiful night; the waxing half moon is now up for longer and gives bright light in the sky and on the water. Not a cloud to be seen. Ian enjoys the sunrise at precisely 7.05am on his lone watch. We’ve 2000. read more...

Lady Ev. VI, Daily log, 7. April 2010

Hallo, Ihr lieben Zuschauer und Daheimgebliebenen!Lady Ev. VI befindet sich jetzt, 13:45 Uhr Ortszeit zwischen TAHANEA und der Insel FAKARAVA, deren Atoll wir durch den suedlichen Pass betreten wollen. In der Naehe wollen wir an einer geeigneten Stelle die Nacht vor Anker verbringen und am naechsten Tag durch das Atoll nach Nordwesten zum anderen Ende segeln. Hoffentlich treffen wir nicht so viele Korallenkoepfe (am besten gar keinen, wuenscht sich unsere Pantaenius-Versicherung!), so dass Axel, der Juengste, uns nicht die ganze Zeit auf der Saling sitzend mit seiner Polaroidbrille durch das freie Wasser lotsen muss.TAHANEA ist wirklich wunderschoen, wie auch Cornell es beschrieben hat. Wir nahmen den mittleren Pass zwischen den zwei Tafeln mit unlesbaren Schriften, wendeten uns dann, in. read more...

Ariane - Pazifik - die ersten 700 Meilen

Liebe FreundeZuerst mal sorry für das lange Stillschweigen. Der Grund liegt daran, dass mein Laptop mal kurz Salzwasser geküsst hat, was dem Bildschirm nicht sonderlich bekommen ist. Das Netbook, das nun vorläufig die Verbindung mit dem Iridium herstellen muss, hat alle Mühe, da das Komprimierungsprogramm von Mailasail schlicht das miserabelste technische Teil ist, das wir auf dem Boot eingebaut haben. Denn für dessen Installation reicht ein Doktorat nicht... Wir haben die Leitung des WARC gebeten, Mailasail rauszuschmeissen. In Tahiti werden wir das Problem lösen.Die Winde haben sich mittlerweile stabiliert, wehen aber noch nicht aus der Passatrichtung, was uns sehr erstaunt. So segeln wir fast am Wind, anstelle von Raumwindsegeln.Heute Nacht hatten wir um 9 Uhr Besuch von einem ganzen. read more...

Cleone - Leg 4 Day 6 - A Perfect Day's Sailing

Twenty four hours of sunshine and stars, and 174 miles on the clock - Cleone's best day yet on this Rally. If anything, the Trades have freshened and backed slightly.  We are now on a broad reach with full plain sails set, less a reef in the Mainsail, and bowling along at an average of about six and a half knots through the water.  We've a favourable current of about a knot.  All this adds up to great sailing, and for us, great progress.  We even managed to survive the Skipper's second bout of cooking, though luckily for Norfy the threatened curry did not materialise.  Apart from that; little to report.  Sailing in light weather is hard work, but 3-hour bouts of helming and sail trim require concentration, and the wheel is physically quite demanding in these conditions. But we are all. read more...

Andante of Mersey - Life aboard - leg four

Well we are now settling in to life on board .Mathew and myself are the new crew, who have never done very long passages before. We are joining skipper Bob Keith and Ann.The Galapogos islands where great fun, swimming with seals, rays, turtles & nemos.The land animals had no fear of humans you could go to within inches of the boobies iguanas and sea lions.We went to the Darwin centre and saw lonesome George the tortoise, he wasnt that lonsome though as he had two lady tortoises with him but at 130 I think he would have preferred a fresh lettuce.The start of the sail was Sunday from Puerta Ayora, we were 3 hrs late due to having two engineers on board fixing the mast. After two days we started having trouble with  water maker and still are, also the auto helm wants a long rest every. read more...

Ariane - Abschiedsbesuch eines Pelikans

Liebe FreundeAls wir am zweitletzten Tag von der Stadt mit dem Wassertaxi zum Boot zurückkehren wollten, trafen wir Paul, der uns mitteilte, dass ein Pelikan auf unserem Beiboot sitze und er leider keine Kamera dabei gehabt habe. Auch wir hatten diese an Bord. Tatsächlich, als wir mit dem Wassertaxi am Bootanlegten, liess sich der Pelikan nicht verunsichern, sondern schaute uns interessiert zu! Wie Ihr auf den Bildern in der Gallery sehen könnt, liess er uns sehr wohl Zeit, um ihn abzuknipsen. Erst danach erhob er sich in die Lüfte...Wir befinden uns nun auf dem langen Weg zu den Marquesas. Leider hatten wir in der ersten Nacht kein Windglück und schlichen nur so dahin, teils mit schlagenden Segeln, teils sogar mit eingerollten. Nun kann es wirklich nur noch besser werden!Liebe. read more...

Graptolite - Nehmen und Geben vom Meer

05:10.00S 098:31.00WIm Gegensatz zu den anderen Tagen hatten wir gestern endlich einmal viel Wind (bis zu 6 Bft). Das führte nicht nur zu uneingeschränkter Freude, sondern zur Reduzierung der aktiven Mannschaft um 1/3 Heike fiel wegen akuter Seekrankheit aus. Aber auch das hatte Vorteile Colin hat einen weiteren leckeren Thunfisch gefangen, den wir uns beide dann zum Mittag teilen konnten. Aber wir nehmen nicht nur vom Meer wir geben auch etwas zurück: Martyn hat heute die Vorräte neu sortiert und dabei sehr viel an die vegetarischen Haie ausgegeben. Das Obst und Gemüse hält sich in dieser Wärme wirklich nicht lange.Als Belohnung haben sich dann am Nachmittag Wale unserem Boot genähert, die aber beim Anblick unserer sofort herbeigeholten Kameras unter dem Aufschrei Vorsicht! Papparazzi. read more...

Ariane - Marquesas

Liebe Daheim gebliebeneNach 20 Tagen und 5 Stunden sind wir bestens in Hiva Oa eingetroffen. Mehrere Exkursionen haben uns diese exotische Insel näher gebracht. Die tropische Vegetation, seltsame Gebirgsformen, freundliche Einheimische und das spezielle polynesische Essen beeindrucken uns ausserordentlich.Fast perfekt könnte das Leben hier sein, fehlte nicht der kulturelle Anteil und die gewohnte medizinische Versorgung. Der erste Ankerplatz auf der Insel Tahuata war wie ein Märchen: ein palmenbesetzter Traumsandstrand, dahinter tropische Vegetation mit hohen gugelhopfähnlichen Bergen... Im Moment sind wir auf der Insel Ua Pou und besuchen das Dorf. Als nächstes werden wir die Insel Nuku Hiva anlaufen, die als besonders reizvoll beschrieben wird. Dies wird unsere letzte Marquesasinsel. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 67 - Lee shores...

4 April 2010I do not like being at anchor on a lee shore and at this very moment we are on one. They make me very nervous. This is the second time in a matter of days when we have been faced with this. The first occasion was in an anchorage on the west side of Tahuatu where we spent one night. With the bow facing out to sea and the stern towards the rocks and reefs it is not the best feeling. Our anchorage on Ua Huka was a mistake.1+1 were the first to enter the bay and we all followed suit. What was that I said about doing our own thing! We should have carried on to Nuka Hiva but by the time that we realised it, it was too late. Jan and the family from Ronja went ashore where the local gendarme reassured them that the wind would die down. It is now 8oclock, three hours later, pitch dark. read more...

Graptolite - 420 Miles Out

04:28.24S 097:04.96W Friday PM in a rain squall 420 miles southwest of the GalapagosI'm struggling here to find much to say that is likely to be of interest and it's much too early on the trip to be making silly stuff up. The wildlife is keeping its head down. We caught a little bonito for lunch but that doesn't really count. We did see some spouting whales in the distance to cries of "Thar she blows!" but that's about it.Heike is having an unpleasant time with the 'mal de mer' and is working her way through the medical supplies for a suitable remedy. We've all been there, although facing the possibility of many weeks of it with no chance ofgetting off the boat can't be nice.The wind seems to be picking up a bit although much of it is related to short-lived squalls coming out of the. read more...

Lady Ev.VI - Lady Ev. VI, Daily log, 6.April 2010

Heute sind wir wieder "Anker-Auf" gegangen nach zwei Tagen im Atoll von MAKEMO mit Richtung TAHAMEA. Makemo war unser erstes Atoll nach der umwerfenden Bergwelt von FATU-HIVA und davor HIVA-OA. Die Atolle sind natuerlich ganz anders!Wir hatten uns fuer die westliche Einfahrt, Passe TAPUHIRIA entschieden und wollten dieses nur bei Tageslicht, wenn moeglich Sonne von hinten und bei Stillwasser durchfahren.Die Gezeiten konnten wir aus unseren Admiralty Tide Tables entnehmen und auf die Ortszeit umrechnen. Um den Pass bei Tageslicht zu durchfahren mussten wir so langsam fahren, dass es den Seglerherzen richtig weh tat: Groß gerefft bis auf ein Drittel, Genua eingerollt bis zur Haelfte und ein Speed (Was fuer ein Wort fuer diese Geschwindigkeit!!!) von viereinhalb Knoten!Christos war der. read more...

Asolare - Leg 4, Day 6 to Marquesas

st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }Saturday 15th March 2008 Continued great sailing!We are now well into the Pacific trade winds, as are all the fleet that have left the Galapagos (five yachts are still in Port there).We are heading a little to the south of the Great Circle route to the Marquesas as the winds to the south of this track will be a little stronger and this course will enable us to use our Parasailor down wind sail quite a bit earlier! We are certainly looking forward to using the Parasailor sail!I am planning to make a microwave meal of Beef in Black bean sauce with avocados and prawns as a starter. Our choice of DVD tonight is “Through Hell & High Water” The Story of Cracknell and Fogle’s conquering of the Atlantic in a rowing boat! Knowing that they. read more...

Strega - log 15.03.08

Catched the wind...02:00 - Hundewache, Zeit für ein paar Zeilen.Nun hat die Hexe doch ihren Besen gefunden und seid Donnerstag Nachmittag rauscht sie bei einer Briese aus SO mit 7-10 Kn nur so dahin. Wenn wir uns die Angaben der anderen Schiffe beim täglichen "Roll Call" anhören, steigt ein Grinsen ins Gesicht des Skippers - wir sind recht weit vorn. Wir versuchen die Höhe von ca. 6° zu halten und gehen westwärts. Auch das Anglerglück stellte sich ein und gerade als ich bei einem schönen Regenduschbad war, zog Jens einen schönen, dicken Tuna aus dem Pazifik. Es geht also doch! Dieser war wieder in optimaler Grösse für den Ofen, ja fast schon ein bisschen zu gross. Die Beratung durch einen Angler in Las Palmas, die Grösse der Köder betreffend, war also genau richtig - Danke dafür! Bei der. read more...

Crazy Horse - leaving the Marquesas

Well, we are on our way to the Tuamotos. As we are leaving the anchorage in Nuku Hiva and Dreamcatcher, Ronja, Voyageur, and Thor IV are just pulling in. Sorry that we didn't have time to catch up with all their adventures and news. Well, we will meet up again on another island soon. It seems that we are all moving around these islands very quickly. We will have to go 479miles to get to our nextstop of Manihi.The place we are all meeting up is Tahiti. We have hopefully refueled and reprovisioned enough until then. We will yet again get adjusted to the rolly seas. Ocean Jasper hopes to catch some fish.We hope to get there with no new breaks or surprises.We are looking forward to the lagoons and pearls that abound there.As we reflect on our visit here we all agree that our Easter service. read more...

Kasuje - daily Log Friday 14th March

Hi all,A few days ago I was bemoaning the lot of a sailor and had decided that the best option was to quit whinging and join the happy throng of  petrol heads. This was during our never ending steaming days through the doldrums. Now however I am very happy to report that we are getting our fill of the most glorious sailing imaginable.Clear bright skies, deep blue ocean, steady trade winds with slight seas by day and warm, moonlight, star spangled evenings. Sailing bliss !!It feels to me that this passage has only just commenced maybe it's because I've been poorly, (now nearly fully recovered, and thanks for all your concern) but we have already covered a 1000nm with a couple of thousand to do. Somehow we have found ourselves near the front of the fleet who are all enjoying this near. read more...

A Lady - "A LADY TRIP" Sailing around the World...

Sunday, 4th April 2010 - EASTER SUNDAY 06.00hrs  Beautifull day again. However there was a big issue over water again, second time in a few weeks. Stupid upset the whole ship. Anyway, we decided to leave Ua Pou and head for " Nuka Hiva "  a distance of 25miles NW. We tied the rib on behind, raised anchor and set sail. One reef in the main and the staysail. The wind was blowing 25/28 knots E. Average speed, 7.2 knots. 13.30hrs  We dropped anchor in Taiohae. The main port in " Nuku Hiva ",  a fine big harbour for a change, we also put down a stern anchor to keep her facing the swell. Crazy Horse and Ocean Jasper were already here plus about another 10 yachts (not on the World ARC). Bob from Ocean Jasper came to A Lady  and. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 66 - "Blowing in the wind"

3 April 2010It has been blowing hard now over the islands for several days and nights. We left Hiva Oa for Fatu Hiva at just the right time, just the right wind angle. At least two WARC yachts have attempted to make this passage in the days that followed but have had to turn back. For a start the angle on the wind is tight, and unless you have a boat that can sail very close to the wind, you will find as we did that you are a little way off course, 10 degrees in our case. The day we left, while the wind was brisk is was by no means impossible. The return was for us a "piece of cake!" With considerable seas on the stern quarter, Voyageur handled it with absolute ease. She has a high freeboard and in addition to her ballast (our not insubstantial cave), we do not heel very much. But after. read more...

Quasar V of Lleyn - Log

Thursday 13th MarchTHE WAANSBarry:Robert said to JB and myself this morning, can one of you write yesterday's log, as I can't remember if anything actually happened. (RL nothing significant!) An obvious case of the WAANS, if ever I saw one: an infliction that has been affecting him, on a more regular basis, ever since he relaxed the dry-boat policy. The symptoms began to manifest soon after the appearance of a 2-litre carton of white wine for lunch, Robert then disappears to his aft cabin and is not seen for an hour or two. To be fair, Wine Assisted After-Noon Siesta is a highly contagious affliction that spreads rapidly through the crew, save for the poor soul that has the après-lunch watch.Yours truly was on lunch duty yesterday, which was supposed to feature Parma ham and honey-dew. read more...

Quasar V of Lleyn - Log

Thursday 6th MarchON THE WAY TO SANTA FE AGAIN!I got my names mixed up when reporting yesterday. It was actually South Plaza yesterday! Sue and I were supposed to be on the Santa Fe trip, but were asked by another boat to swap as they couldn't go on Friday. So we had a morning off and I struggled to get round YouTube to get Lori's Birthday Greetings video uploaded (Lori was on a cruise), which took a frustrating 90 minutes! We then proceeded to the Finch Bay Hotel for lunch, where we bumped into Di and Mike from 'Andante' who had just finished a Galapagos cruise and were looking for accommodation before they went home after their holiday.clip_image002. read more...

Crazy Horse - Easter Sunday

We are enjoying our Easter in Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia. We just attended a Catholic service with all the crew of Ocean Jasper. It was an interesting and spiritual experience. Even though it was all in French and Marquesian we were able to understand and feel the spirituality of the people. They havequite beautiful voices which harmonize well. The drums were incorporated into the service as well. We all agreed it was a lovely experience that we will treasure. Some of the older ladies shook my hand and offered their friendship. It was interesting that the homily was presented by one of the older women.We are preparing an Easter feast on Crazy Horse today. Our friends from Ocean Jasper, Sean and Sophia from Wild Tigris will honor us with their presence. We will have turkey, seafood,. read more...

"A LADY TRIP" Sailing around the World (presently in Ua Pou, The Marquesas, South Pacific)

Saturday, 3rd April 2010 - Easter  Saturday  02.00hrs  BANG cripes. What was that! Skipper and Aileen shot up to the deck to find that we were hanging from the side of the tug, "York Syme" by the derrick and of course its that derrick that gives all the trouble. The wind had changed and we got blown in the opposite direction to where we were and of course it was pissing rain to boot. We got Fats out of his bunk and immediately raised anchor ( after freeing ourselves from the tug ) and relocated ourselves to suit the new situation. After an hour or so, Skipper and Fats went back to the scratchers, while Aileen kept watch for about 2 more hours, concerned that the lads did not do the job properly and we would wind up in some more. read more...

Whitbread - Schwangere Schpinne

Was hettaend iaer gaerae?wind ja genau.Dae Blog wetti am Bruetschgaer wittmae, will aer wahrschinlich dae einzigi Maensch uf daer andaerae Pazifiksitae isch wo das ueberhaupt list und verschteit ni. Ja denn simmaer denn mal so los gsaeglaet besser gseit gmotoraet und haend oeppae in abschtaend vo zwei schtund immer choennae dae motor flickae. Irgendswo sugt aer luft ah wuessaet aber nid genau wo. Uf all faell ischs miaer viel liaeber ae alti dieseltracktorschwartae an bord z ha, wommaer ab und zue muess flickae weder ae noi wo mae nid weiss was machae daermit. Denn haemmaer no d Anglae dussae gha un ae riesae Fisch het ahbissae. Er het denn grad dae ganz Koeder abgrissae. Aes isch ae Bluemarlin gsi wo sicher oeppae drue Meter zwischaed dae augae gha het. Ja nei was saegi da sicher fuef. read more...

Kalliope III - En NUKI IVA

.hmmessage P { PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px } BODY.hmmessage { FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 10pt }Estamos fondeados en la bahia de TAIOHAE donde esta la capital de NUKU HIVA. El pasado Jueves llegamos procedentes de la bahia de ANAHO en el norte de NUKU HIVA y que segun algunos es la mas bonita del Pacifico, y realmente es muy bonita, pero para nosotros represento el tener que desenrrocar de los corales la cadena del ancla, trabajando mas de cuatro horas, con varias de ellas bajo el agua (gastamos casi tres botellas de aire), y con la rotura del molinete de ancla incluida, con lo que hasta cuando este pueda ser reparado el fondeo lo deberemos hacer como en los antiguos tiempos del KALLIOPE II, a mano!Hoy. read more...

Lady Kay - 2336nm to go

We are sailing along at a high speed for us. Touching 8 to 9 knots at the moment. There are strong trade winds of between 15 and 22 knots so we are romping along. The weather is good with clear skies.What a change from the first few days of near calm weather and motor sailing. We are all well but finding the lumpy sea a bit tiring.At the moment we are surrounded by flying fish but have seen little else and not a single boat after the first day. We still have a long way to go 2,300 miles, but we have done 650 miles so far.Kerry has been working hard keeping us all organised, Jackie has been sorting out our haute cuisine and Michael has been busy repairing and maintaining eg improving our SSB radio, which is our only method of daily contact with the other boats. We now have a daily. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 65 - Rolled Over!

2 April 2010All things come in threes as Thetis has just found out and not always in a good way. Many rally yachts at anchor in the northwest bay of Tahuatu, Hanamoenoa, decided on a get together on the beach. Chopping open a coconut the young lad crewing on Thetis chopped off a finger as well. The digit could not be saved but if you are going to lose a finger then the index finger is best. I spent many years with a hand surgeon famous for his pioneering work in reconstruction of thumbs from the hip bone so I should know. Paul from WARC stepped into his place aboard Thetis and on their way back to Hiva Oa with the casualty the engine broke down. Sailing in very light winds they only just managed to clear rocks opposite the breakwater with 5metres to spare. Then this afternoon having. read more...

Ronja - Cruising Marquesas

Position 09:54.50, 139:06.31WDear readers,After the landfall on Hiva Oa 7 days ago, we have just relaxed in paradise.The first two days we cleaned out the boat after the passage, did some needed maintenance around the ship, as well as provisioned the boat for cruising in the Marquesas and Tuamotoues. We managed to have all done in two days, including having the afternoons to explore the Island of Hiva Oa.The Island landscape is dramatic and soft at the same time. Steep and high mountains stretch right from the sea and several hundred meters up, being covered by a soft green layer of vegetation. The people here in French Polynesia are extremely friendly, happy and helping , sometimes to quite a contrast to back home.Two times we went to Alex and his family. After 5 minutes drive up a very. read more...

Jus'Do It 3 - wind!

Friday 14.03 .08 The afternoon (yesterday) continues to be cloudy and grey. Gray Lady passes close on our stern at 2pm - we wave and take photos of each other, and they sail off into the horizon. Later we can see their silhouette against the sunset sky. Our fillet steak turns out to be not quite as described so it’s fired into a red wine marinade to be casseroled tomorrow. Corn beef dinner! We continue with average 15 knot winds on a beam reach, averaging 9 knots throughout the night (assisted by approx 1-1.5 knot current). Very enjoyable overnight sail; a bright night with lots of shooting stars. We see 3 other boat lights in the night and in the morning can make out 2. We get on the radio and speak to Southern Princess and Storyteller. Apparently Kasuje is the other boat but we. read more...

A Lady - "A LADY TRIP" Sailing around the world (presently in " TAHUATA" the Marquesas Islands, South Pacific)

Friday, 2nd April 2010 - Tim Cadogan's birthday - GOOD FRIDAY  07.00hrs All up and about and making ourselves busy as we are about to leave this Island. We went for an early swim first and then hauled the rib onto the dericks, Donal doing the hauling. Yesterday we towed the rib behind, but it was a much shorter trip only 35miles as opposed to todays journey of approx 60miles NW. 08.00hrs We weighed anchor and set sailWind: E28/34 knotsSeas: moderateSailing: broad reach, with full sailsS.O G.: 8.5/9.5 knots touching 10.5 at times Weather: What a beautifull sailing day, clear blue skies, deep blue seas, lots of bird life and lots of wind in the right direction. Again, it really makes appriciate the boat we have, solid, comfortable, stable in all. read more...

Cleone - Leg 4 Day 5 - Red Lion Mystery Deepens

Long-term Northamptonshire absentee identified - family and friends questioned.  Meanwhile, Cleone escapes a brewed-up battery and dives South to catch the Trades. There was consternation in the small sleepy Northamptonshire Village of Grendon, where it has been revealed that there has been no confirmed sighting of Red Lion Regular, local man Chris "Norfy" North, for several months.  Landlord Ian Fletcher confirmed Norfy's apparent disappearance late on Tuesday.  "His slate was full; he owes me 17 pounds fourteen shillings and eight pence, not counting last Saturday's Rugby", complained Ian.  "I searched the gents and the skittle-alley, where he normally retreats at pay-up time, but couldn't find him".  An ad-hoc committee of other locals was immediately convened.  Spokesman Mojo Mike. read more...

Southern Princess - What happens when a Boom Vang goes Boom?

Friday 14th March 2008                                    06:37S  102:46W Well not a lot really. I was asleep in my bunk to be woken by a rhythmic kerbang/kerclunk/kerbang etc. An ear to the mast revealed that might be the source but there again apart from the furler foil inside the mast, nothing could be really making that kind of noise. The Princess voiced the opinion that it was coming from the boom. We are sensitive about the boom as we bent it coming across the Atlantic and while we have patched it we still have a 3" to 5" bend in it. Anyway investigations continued and then I noticed that where the boom vang joined the base of the mast that each time the boat rolled and the mail sail took up some slack, this join would jerk sideways and voila we found the culprit. This connection. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 64 - Baie Hanatefau, Tahuata

1 April 2010The wonderful thing about sailing in French Polynesian waters is that you can day sail among and between the islands without having to do an overnight passage and of course it is our policy never to arrive or leave in the dark. We would never want to miss a daylight arrival at any one of these islands so spectacular is their topography. It is something that we anticipate with great excitement and infinite pleasure for nowhere else in the Pacific is landfall more dramatic. Perhaps it is because it reminds us so much of home but with any luck it will not be too long before that dream becomes a reality. Today was a perfect example of that feeling. Having spent three wonderful days and nights in Fatu Hiva we were once more ready to move on. The island of Tahuata, the smallest. read more...

A Lady - "A LADY TRIP" Sailing around the World (presently in "Tahuata", the Marquesas Islands, South Pacific)

Sailing from:Fatu Hiva to Tahuata   Distance: 40 miles NWWind: NE 26/28 knotsSea state: bumpyWeather: good, sunshine and clouds Thursday, 1st  April - Fools Day 06.30hrs  all up and about and had a light breakfast.07.30hrs  Weighed anchor and set sail for Tahuata. There were 8  W A  boats in our little harbour as we left.We decided to move on, we had seen what had to be seen in " Fatu Hiva " and we want to see as many of these Islands before we head SSW to the Tuamotu Archipelago's.  14.00hrs  We reached our new Island and again it was dramatic and beautifull. How can I describe them? Sheer green cliffs towering a thousand feet or more into the sky, casting magic shadows across the deep blue sea. 15.00. read more...

Asolare - Leg 4, Day 5 to Maquesas. Great Sailing!

st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }Friday 15th March 2008 Great Sailing!The whole fleet will now be enjoying good sailing now that the wind field has filled in with generally SW winds of 15 – 18 knots. “Asolare” is making between 9 and 10 knots over the ground as we also have ½ knot of favourable current. The weather is partially cloudy but very sunny and warm with no showers or squalls in sight. Now at 1515hr UTC we have 2236 miles to go and the computers tell me that at this speed we will be in the Marquesas in just 9 days time! This is most unlikely to be achieved as the long range forecast indicated light winds and therefore speeds for the last week or so. “Make hay whilst the sun shines” – and it is shining brightly. We are on a broad reach with the apparent wind. read more...

Crazy Horse - Happy Easter

We are here at anchorage in Nuku Hiva. We had hoped to get fuel and reprovision but forgot it was Easter this weekend. We are not sure what will be open. Things may be totally closed down until Monday. We are planning on taking the trip ashore in a short while. Ocean Jasper is here with us. ALady is supposed to arrive today. They may have realized Easter and decided to stay on another island.Wild Tigris is here with prop problems too. They sound very complicated. Hopefully they will be able to get it fixed and get on with their journey. We hope our prop stays together until Tahiti where we hope to have it replaced if all goes as planned.We had quite a rough passage from Fatu Hiva to here yesterday. The wind was blowing from one direction and the waves and current from another. It was. read more...

Gray Lady - LEG 3 ,DAY 5 ,Gigi helmscat

What can I say , 2000 miles to go , trade winds are setting in , Gray Lady is sailing at 10 Knots !!!We love our helmsman....sorry.......I meant helmscat , she is fit for this job , but I do not understand what she really thinks during those long hours steering Gray Lady ?It may be Cat dreams ?!Gigi the helmscat , says Miaoo.Imagen 016 copy. read more...

Gray Lady - Leg 3 Day 5 . Thanks to our shore based crew !!

Enthusiastic till the end , saying us good by at the start line, helpful to the limit retrieving and dropping anchors for the fleet, patient and always present on channel 77 , professional and organized on the briefings, pleasant and friendly always meeting you .Gray Lady is happy to have you as our shore based crew.Thank you and good luck World Arc Team , See you in the Marquesas!!Imagen 001. read more...

A Lady - "A LADY TRIP" Sailing around the World (presently in " Fatu Hiva " The Marquesses Islands, South Pacific)

Wednesday, 31st March 2010  Fatu Hiva 06.30hrs  The Skipper went on deck to survey the morning, It had rained heavily during the night. The other two were still zzzzzzzzzzz,  a bit early for them. 08.00hrs  Donal went ashore with the passports and met with the local police officer, who was just being very official, as we had already cleared our papers for the Marquises in pto Atuano. Anyway, its better to keep them all happy. 09.30hrs   Donal and Stephen went by local express  (14'  aluminium Dory) to the main Village, approx 2miles away to the south. Walking was out of the question, as it included a trip over some pretty high terrain and would certainly take 2.5 hrs each way. We intended staying about 1 hour, but in the french. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 63 - Fatu Hiva

29 to 31 March 2010Fatu Hiva At first light after another sleepless night we were thankful to raise the anchor. In a brisk force five we had a great sail, hard on the wind. It blew away the gremlins that seem to have plagued us since our arrival in the Marquesas. We were astonished to see the wind speed and direction dials suddenly spring to life. They had refused to budge since arriving in the Galapagos. The spare part which now awaits us in Tahiti may not be necessary after all but at least we have it in case of future problems. Fatu Hiva lay 49nm to the south east. It has long been an ambition of ours to come here as it is said to be the most beautiful island of the Marquises. It is featured on the front cover of one of our pilot books Charlie's Charts. Entering the Bay of Virgins. read more...

Kasuje - Daily Log Thursday 13th March

Hi AllGood news today. Firstly Skip managed to get through the night without another relapse, and is on the mend although is being restricted to water only for another 24 hours, that makes 5 days with no solids. He will be able to slide under the door soon!!  Secondly and most importantly, we think we have found the South East Trades. They started last night, came and went a few times, and have now blown about 18 knots for the last 8 hours. The inline six has been put to bed , hopefully for a couple of weeks, and we are now whizzing along at about 8.5 knots. Australian Bruce, our weather router, has done a fantastic job directing us to the winds and avoiding the worst of the storms. We did however catch a rainstorm last night that lasted 3 hours, drenched Ruby and I, and nearly filled. read more...

Lady Kay - Trade winds

HiAfter the stifling heat and no winds of the equatorial doldrums we are now at last getting some trade winds and sailing at a good speed. If feels quite cool after Equatorial climes and have even put on a fleece during night watches. We also have some waves instead of flat seas which is the down side. Conversation is dominated by either how many hours to got to Hiva Oa, which varies considerably as based on current speed, and what other ways are there to cook tuna (seared with sesame seeds & soy last night).Our picture today is a blue-footed Booby on Espanola. Its amazing that they just sit there, not bothered by your presence. On the blue footed booby front, Kerry is worried that after 3 months of not wearing shoes, on her return to cold London her feet will be this wide (and this. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 62 - A "FINE" day

28 March 2010For more than one reason we will not be sorry to weigh anchor tomorrow and leave Hiva Oa in our wake. Firstly the anchorage is subject to swell and there were just too many of us to be able to tuck in behind the breakwater for a calmer sea. As Voyageur's stern crashed up and down in the waves, I had to retreat to the cockpit to snatch what little sleep I could get. But we were told that it would be so. The concrete dinghy dock was downright dangerous and you had to carefully judge your leap onto its platform in timing with the surge of rushing water. At low water boats got sucked in underneath it and were prone to get trapped. Our new canvas cover was torn and the outboard narrowly escaped damage. In the anchorage at least three rally boats lost their stern anchors.. read more...

Crazy Horse - Leaving Fatu Hiva

After a day of repair and visiting with the local children we are preparing to leave for Nuku Hiva. Voyageur and A Lady have already left for other islands. Ocean Jasper and Crazy Horse are intent on refueling and re-provisioning in Nuku Hiva asap.Some of the local fisherman visited us 2 nights ago asking us to borrow our snorkling mask. We lent them one hoping they would sell us some fish and veggies as promised. Well, we were loosing hope until last night as Bill and I were onboard A Lady they came asking for the Crazy Horse lady with thesnorkle mask. They "gave me" all kinds of fish, papaya, bananas, and grapefruit. When I asked them how much they said no money. They did want wine. We gave them wine and all were happy. Later that night they returned the mask. The people here are very. read more...

A Lady - "A LADY TRIP " Sailing around the world,,, (presently in Fatu Hiva , The Marquesses Islands, South Pacific)

Tuesday, 30th March 2010 - Christine Hyde's  Birthday 06.30hrs   Very cloudy, but the scenery here in this Island is breathtaking, When the rest of the crew got up, we all went for a swim in the crystal clear water. Even in 10m of water, we could still see the bottom clearly with all the colourfull fish and the odd lobster swimming around. We cleaned the boat top again and booked a local "Restaurant" for dinner tonight. Thats for the 4 boats here, Voyageur, Crazy Horse, Ocean Jasper & A lady, 12 people in total. 10.30hrs   Aileen & the Skipper went ashore and walked/hiked 2 hours to the WATERFALL. This is the 3rd highest waterfall in the world, and it was pretty spectacular, even though there was not too. read more...

Jus'Do It 3 - the doldrums!

st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }Thursday 13.03.08Position @12.00hrs;S;06.07 W99.21                      Distance in last 24hrs;164 milesMidday yesterday – engine on again- the wind has died. We take advantage of a level boat to clean a few bilges and do a general tidy. It’s flat calm until about 3pm when a breeze starts to fill in from the S/SW, but it’s still right on the nose! We motor all day and decide to continue S/SW to try and pick up the trade winds as soon as possible. Phil and Fay on Tramontana have emailed to tell us they are now below 6 degrees with good 15 knot winds. Worryingly , they’ve not caught any fish either! We enjoy a mid afternoon G&T with treble limes. Chicken soup for tea with the promise of red meat tomorrow to stall a mutiny! We stop. read more...

Whitbread - 13/03/2008

Well hello there cruise lovers!We left Santa cruz at 7pm and are finally starting the big leg to The Mauquesas. We had a few engine difficulties at the start so thought we would have to pull into Isabella Island but all is well on The Whitbread. Well today is my Birthday on board and of course have been intiltiled to a fab day off.  It has been fantastic!!!  Sam and Wolfie baked a cake!! A Cake!!! They all sang happy birthday and came bearing gifts. I have been really spoiled, i received a hand made necklace from shells collected from Santa Cruz from Wolfie, the most beautiful chain, a leather diary and organizer from jeff, a bottle of your finest Irish Liquer from Marcel and a group Whitbread Galapagos swinging chair for the deck, how cool is that!!!!A squall came thru an hour ago which. read more...

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