As of 16:00, Sunday Dec 12 we are into our 22 days at sea en route to St. Lucia and some 182 miles from our destination. Winds have lightened and this may cause us to revamp our arrival time?? If all go according to plan we should arrive Tuesday evening (subject to change). It is important to note that we have sailed the entire way thus far - no motor!! We have also decided to forward these, our final comments, while at sea versus an attempt to do so after our arrival - it would never get done!!
Day 15 or 16 (days are running together) - on Sunday Hazel Fry finds the ever evasive & elusive trade winds finally! They continue to build thru-out the day. At ~4:00 pm they are gusting to 22 knots. We take down the gennacker & go with storm & head sail - we notice 3 boats in the vicinity. Not previously reported but we are in SSB radio contact with boats in our division (or in contact with those that have SSB radios). A challenge has been put out to those listening to put some "sailing words" to the 12 Days of Christmas. Our suggested contribution was going to be 'seven skaters scoring' (a Canadian theme) but that is deferred so Glenn can play 'Sleigh-Ride' on his guitar. BIG hit!!
Also overlooked earlier are comments on what we call flying fish - during the day you will see anywhere from 1 to 20 leap out of the ocean, turn into the wind and fly for 3 - 10 meters. We are not sure if this is simply their nature or a way to avoid predators?? It's not unusual to see 3 or 4 on the deck each morning ranging in size of 1 or 2 inches to 10-12. The skipper reports that a fish was flopping around his head (bathroom) and concluded that a crew member placed it there!?! We immediately formed a investigative committee and the conclusion was that it had entered the head via the small window - s/he obviously had to go! The next evening (late) Warren is at the helm and is hit in the chest by something which is now flopping his feet - it's NOT funny! Glenn experiences the same although he's hit at or near his groin area. Both fish are about 10-12 inches in length. The skipper & Glenn find another one several days later as a result of smelling something unusual - one had found a hidden nesting area in cockpit.
We are now over half way to St. Lucia and to mark the occasion we open a bottle of Champaign! Everyone's attitude is noticeably better and it was very good prior to the announcement. We also remind everyone that it will be Karaoke night the following night on the Hazel Fry!
Day 16 & 17 - Winds continue to build out of the ENE - to give you an idea of it's impact - previously in moderate winds we will cover about 140 miles within a 24 hour period - we are now covering 182 miles!! Routine is now the order of the day - each takes their turn preparing meals sometimes hoping we could tuck in behind some island, drop anchor and have a quiet spilled-free meal - FAT chance!
A number of vessels have reported breakdowns - primarily sail tears but not on the Hazel Fry - daily checks confirm her soundness! Glenn plays God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen on the SSB radio - another BiG hit!
On Tuesday, Dec 7 Sandy & Warren are awakened by the rest of the crew putting in reefs as winds are at 25 - 26 knots gusting to 34. At noon, we are 997 miles from St. Lucia and closing fast! We are beginning to plan how the finish line will be handled - you can never plan too soon!!! Throughout the day each crew member spends the maximum of 30 minutes at a time on the helm - can't maintain the needed concentration beyond that. And at night, you can't see the waves!!but you can hear them and see some white water boil as our little boat charges up big swells and surfs down the other side.. The wind is howling and waves roar in the black, so black sometimes you can't see where the water stops and the sky starts.
Day 18 - beautiful, warm morning (same winds) and Wayne comments " . . what a lovely morning sail; sitting here in the cockpit sometimes I can see only the water and in the next moment I can only see the sky." The bracket that the skipper had installed on the mast breaks; the bracket he exchanged for 50 meters of anchor chain. At one point in the day the skipper, after spending more than 30 minutes at the helm asks to be relieved but suddenly the entire crew is busy doing other chores! It does get tiring!! The wind however, do begin to lighten and now it's time to try 'wing-on-wing' - Warren reminds the crew that this expression came as the result of he and his brother trying and perfecting this maneuver several years earlier; hence, the name!
Day 19 - winds have changes to ESE and are now a comfortable 18 - 19 knots. The skipper finds an additional 24 beer insisting that he came upon them solely by accident and insists that when he went into the basement packages of 6 kept sliding down - similar to going to a liquor store!?! Minke whales are sighted - quite a sight. Looks that there are possibly up to 6 of them - they spend a good 20 minutes coming back to the boat for another look running beside us and rolling over , showing their white bellies.
Day 20 - now less than 300 miles from St. Lucia. Soft boiled eggs, toast, jam and coffee are prepared for breakfast under blue skies and moderate winds. We are hoping that the winds strengthen as our ETA may not come to pass with these moderate winds. Butter, Wayne asked for Mrs. "obbs recipe for oatmeal squares.
Day 21 - overnight very very light winds, 12:00 gmt 199.9 miles to go. we're going very slowly so that could take awhile if no better wind. Sunny mellow, victuals still holding but getting low. Skipper miraculously found some previously undiscovered beer (again!) so we're good!!
A USA boat - Time Warp, of similar size boat who was ahead of us after her untold hours of using engine, - has been challenging us re: finish line and has been doing a little trash talking. We, of course, being modest, humble Canadians have elected to take the high road and have wished Time Warp the very best. The moment the radio communication ends we begin to plot our strategy on how it will be her - Time Warp - seeing our stern as we cross the finish line! First day after the challenge we cut the lead but on day 21 our position is now 20 miles ahead, although anything can happen tomorrow.
3 tears in the main sail have been repaired - the main is back up and we are under way! Winds are very low today and after several sail changing experiments the very hot and sticky skipper and crew took a well deserved swim.
Great dinner at sunset, cruising along slowly with Glenn and Wayne playing guitar and singing. Pretty mellow. This continuing voyage has been filled with excitement, a few scrambles , adrenaline rushes and perhaps some boredom from the routine but to a man, this experience could not have been more fulfilling. The laughter and giggles that only the crew would understand makes for some pretty special moments - thanks skipper Don!
Warren Wing - Crew member of Hazel Fry