Daily Logs

T'ai Chi - Preparing for offshore...er...no...Hurricane Sandy!

Storms can be so disrespectful. Hurricane Sandy is not only dangerous, it is also extremely inconvenient.  We were so happy to reach Hampton 2 days ahead of schedule, so we could get some of the major issues fixed and do a lot of preparation for our offshore leg to the Bahamas with the Caribbean 1500.  Instead we have been focusing much of our effort on hunkering down for the hurricane. Hampton is just at the convergence of the James, Hampton and Elizabeth Rivers where they flow into the great Chesapeake Bay. We are right on the edge of the storm’s currently predicted path, but within the expected ‘wide swath of damaging conditions’. The storm is expected to make landfall exactly where we were before we arrived here, sailing up the Delmarva coast (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia). read more...

Ailsa - Survived Biscay 42:07.330N 8:50.710W

Survived Biscay   To many it will have little relevance, to some a name on the shipping forecast, to some a nauseating ferry journey to Northern Spain. To sailors its reputation is well known and fully deserved partly because of its particular geographical features and partly because it is the end point of many weather systems starting in mid Atlantic. The Rally organisers quite reasonably delayed the start because of the storms that the UK experienced last week and which exerted their effects in Biscay.  Things began to look up at the weekend just gone although there were “strong winds” forecast for the southern half of Biscay. Strong winds has a specific meteorological definition but in Biscay it translates to a yachting experience akin to being in a washing. read more...

Common Sense - Azores High

38°4.5N 20°5.6WWell we finally tootled into Horta Marina after seventeen and a half days atsea, well behind the rest of the ARC fleet but relatively intact – a slightrip in the mainsail and a shattered windscreen in the dodger to show for ourbattle with the elements, plus the replacement of $550 worth of sheets andfurling lines. And a busted gooseneck on the boom. We really appreciatedthe warm reception – cheers and greetings all the way in from thebreakwater, and a lovely cold beer from the guys on Miss Carol. We missedall the Rally festivities on Horta, but made up for it with a few days ofsightseeing, eating and drinking on this lovely island. We took the ferryover to Pico, and of course Padraig is now determined to return to climb thevolcano. Actually we’re. read more...

Caryali - The crew is all here we are ready (almost) to go

Caryali is almost ready to go. All the crew are on board Oskar Vincenzo and Paolo along with Stefano the skipper and Carole only girl in the boat.Almost finished with all the preparations and tomorrow the safety check to verify we are on for the trip. Arc courses today revealed extremely useful rigging and provisioning in particular. Now every member of the crew is aware that they can ask for special treats and the list goes from mars bars to good red wine. We wil follow their advice as we do want an happy crew!Carole . read more...

Matilda - Nearly There

We are all still in a state of shock over Ciao yesterday, I cannot imagine what it must feel like losing your boat that way, not to mention your home for the last few years. Our thoughts are with Sreco and Olga at this time and just hope that insurance etc will go smoothly and not add to the heartbreak. Underwater objects are a constant worry on a crossing, but as there is not much you can do about them it is best not to have too much of an imagination. However it is incredibly bad luck when one strikes, we know sailors who have done many circumnavigations and have never had it happen to them once.We hope to arrive in Cocos before lunchtime tomorrow, but that will depend on the wind. At times we go great guns with the current and barrel along accordingly, other times, like today, we have. read more...

Comocean - Noon Report 5\4

Author Toby Hynes As I report out during my noon watch I can report a great, but interesting, first 24 hours.  We estimate we made good about 124 Nautical Miles.  Pretty good for a 4 knot wind at the start.  I might add, we believe that Comocean was the first to cross the start line (although another boat might debate this fact) in this very tentative breeze condition. The first few hours required some serious motoring to round the west end of Tortola, And Jost Van Dyke.  We had made a promise to ourselves to hold at least 5 knots at all times as we meet Joanne, Sue Hoffman and our second shift crew in Bermuda.  Before John’s delicious chicken stir fry dinner, we had finally found winds out of the East and were setting a great beam reach to. read more...

Crazy Horse - March 31

Crazy Horse is still sitting in the yard at Grenada Marine. She is looking quite good all polished up and repainted hull. They are currently putting up the antenna for the SSB that fell off during our rough passage on the Indian Ocean. Bill had a makeshift antenna that serviced us thus far. He is certainly good at improvising in his repairs. They look to be doing an excellent job here with all the proper supplies and tools. Life on these islands just goes at a different pace than we are used to at home. We are just trying to get into the water tomorrow so we can get reprovisioned and up to Mayreau in time for the big wedding on Tuesday. We have been cleaning up on the inside and trying to preserve what is left of the food in the refrigerator.Matt is cleaning up his cabin to make room for. read more...

Murphy - Summer has finally come - in Spain at least

Arrived in Bayona this morning at 7 am Spanish time after a thrilling ride across the Bay of Biscay - on some waves I thought the boat was being dismantled but Murphy is made of stern stuff and came through it well - fast sailing (we did 450 nm in two days and 18 hours) and not a drop of water in the bilge! Now restored with a chat to my wife on Skype (the wonders of wifi) and two lovely cups of coffee at a little cafe opposite the marine (Monte Real Club de Yates) and finally summer has come - blue skies and sunshine - warm and dry for the first time in a while - feels good. read more...

Voyageur - Leg 2 - Log 13 To Terciera

4 June We had supper at six o’clock sharp, then prepared the boat for leaving at seven. Cautious at first we put up a reefed main and genoa but soon it was full sails as the wind stayed steady around 15knots. Settling down for the night, David took the first watch but had to wake me a little early as we needed to pole out the genoa to starboard, the wind having veered more to the west. Oh, what a heavenly night, a full moon not seen for many a long night at sea. Voyageur started to accelerate as the wind increased to around 18knots. We were doing 8 knots under genoa alone. But just when it was getting exciting the wind died away as it had been expected to do so it was on with the engine to reach Terceira early the following morning. The seas were still lumpy from yesterday’s. read more...

Anastasia - A sad day

Yesterday morning was my turn as net controller for the SSB radio roll call.  I dutifully go up at 07:30 local time (we had finished anchoring at about 01:30) to hear a message from Paul (Rally Control) asking us to get more information on the situation with Ciao.  Ciao is a Sweden 45 yacht that joined the rally in Bali.  Apparently Srecko from Ciao had alerted rally control of a problem.  (Actually he called in a Mayday at 05:30 but I didn't know that at this time.) I immediately tried to call Ciao on the SSB but instead got Spirit of Alcides saying they could see that Ciao had a problem and that J'Sea was attempting to assist them.  Linda on J'Sea then came on and informed us that Ciao had hit a submerged object during the night and had a problem. read more...

Brizo - BVI to Bermuda Day 2

Just a quick update about the first 30 hours back on an ocean leg.  The first 20 hours were pretty frustrating after sailing with the slightest of winds over the ‘start line’ with the newly repaired ‘Limey’ spinnaker flying for the first time. Soon after we motor sailed on and off with a frustrating lack of wind for the first night at sea. Pat myself and Murray all stand single night watches with Pat having the best of the sailing last night. Today, Friday things have picked up, with a fairly consistent Easterly wind that has allowed us to sail at between 7 and 8 knots. We have less wind predicted over the next few days so it looks like we will be some 5-6 days at sea, especially as the winds towards the end will turn against us. Nothing really exciting to. read more...

Enya - INTRODUCTION TO THE ENYA BLOG

The Enya is a 53’ Hallberg Rassey, built in 2002. During 2012 she will sail from Troon, Scotland to Rodney Bay, St. Lucia. The following blog serves to update those interested in following her course, and for crew and friends to make comments regarding the voyage. fred. read more...

Cleone - CLEONE VALENTINE'S DAY MESSAGE

To All OurValentines(You know who you are)??with much lovethe two LonelySailorsofYacht Cleone you'll find us at: 11o30'S37o11'W. read more...

Cleone - CLEONE Leg 23C Day 1 & 2 - Going Nowhere Slowly

Two of the most frustrating days ever - and it's Valentine's Day, andwe're all alone....   In the last twenty four hours we have sailed maybe ninety five miles acrossthe surface of the earth, making only eighty miles orso towards Recife.  At this rate, it may take us five days tocover the 400 miles or so, and we may get there on Wednesday or so, in time tomiss the Reception at the Yacht Club, the checking in and the tour ofthe local area.  And to cap it all, our friends from Quasar V, wholeft the anchorage some twelve hours after we did, have already caught usup.  Chatting to the other World ARC yachts, are all reporting similarconditions; wind on the nose, a steep, short head sea that is bringing the boatsto a virtual stop, and, to cap it all, the Brazilian Current, driving ussouthwards. read more...

Talulah Ruby II - Log 1 - Arrival to Las Palmas

"Talulah Ruby II" is a cruising yacht based in Lanzarote, Canary Islands so our journey is only just beginning. We have 5 adult crew (Paul, Andy, Ronn, Jason and Michelle) and 2 children on board Freddie (13yrs) and Monique (10yrs). We left Puerto Calero at 5pm on the 14th November and had quite a crowd of friends and family to wave us off on our way, as we have all lived on the island for 20 years. There were a few tears as for Paul and Andy this is the beginning of a very long round the world trip - Again! The rest of the crew are participating in just the Arc rally and we are very excited to be involved in such a fun event. The sail across was calm and we managed to sail half the way and had to motor for the rest of our trip,. read more...

Anastasia - Cocos Keeling

12:05.5S 096:52.9E   We arrived at Cocos Keeling early yesterday morning, at 00:33 local time. Arriving at that time meant anchoring in the dark, but the World ARC provided a set of waypoints to take us through the entrance to the atoll and into the anchorage, plus there was some moonlight which made it fairly easy to see other boats when inside the anchorage. Even so it was a bit nerve racking, with 20 knot wind blowing us sideways as we steered through the boats looking for a place to drop anchor.  It is always interesting after a night anchorage to wake up in the morning and see just how close you got to anchoring on a reef. In this case we were lucky enough to pick a good sandy spot well away from any obstacles, so we do not even have to re-anchor in a better place.. read more...

Voyageur - Leg 2 - Log 14 Ninety nine miles to San Miguel

6 June Today was without doubt the best sailing we have had since we launched on the 2nd December last year in Grenada. It was such a good call on David’s part. As always he studies the weather assiduously and makes a decision based on several aspects. The wind overnight for our intended sail would be over thirty knots, but experience has taught us that more often than not, you add another ten onto that. But the more important aspect was the direction of the wind. If we left tonight we would have the wind forward or on the beam, but if we bided our time until the morning the wind was forecast to veer round the north west, which would give us the wind and the seas coming from astern, an important consideration especially if conditions are going to be a little bit lively. However,. read more...

Enterprise - Cape Finisterre Approaches

44.22.213N 009.50.075W1830 hrs 12 June 2012  Evening approaches and we have to set the boat up for the night. We are approaching the dreaded Cape Finisterre and the weather is benign despite expectations. I was expecting the worst but it looks ok - so far. I can tell from the Rally Control reports that many skippers - far wiser than I, took their chance and went further inland, inside the traffic separation zone. I will stick to our original plan and go outside the TSS. Longer I know, but this is "not a race" Rally Portugal.  The Rally Organisers have stressed that this is "not a race" but a Rally. Of course we all agreed with this. But I suspect it is like standing outside the exam hall when all your friends are telling you they have not. read more...

Ariane - Grenada

GrenadaLiebe SegelfreundeDie Besichtigungstour haben wir hinter uns und beschäftigen uns jetzt vor allem mit dem Boot. Da die Dichtungsmanschette an der Welle ausgetauscht werden musste, stehen wir jetzt bei der Grenada Marine auf dem Land. Übrigens ist auch Basia hier; sie warten auf einen Kostenvoranschlag für eine allfällige Reparatur ihres Bootes. Die Versicherung wird dann entscheiden, ob repariert oder abgeschrieben wird. Wir werden so bald als möglich wieder Port Louis anlaufen, um dort noch einige kleine Reparaturen zu erledigen. Dann geht es langsam und gemütlich nordwärts durch die Grenadinen bis nach St. Lucia, wo sich die Flotte in der Marigotbay treffen wird, um einige Tage später gemeinsam in den Ausgangshafen Rodneybay segeln werden. Dann ist ein grosses Fest angesagt! Die. read more...

Surprise - Day 1 at Sea: Friday 4 May

Both Tony and I had terrific watches last night with good breeze, bright moonlight and good boat speed. I was zoning with Sara Brightman's classics.Cathy was not so lucky with flukey winds, large swells and threatening lightning. Today is warm with a modest breeze from the NE and we are making 6.5-7.5 kts. Our first 24 run will be about 130 nm- not bad considering light wind at the start and the nose for about 4 hrs in the very early morning.CH for Surprise. read more...

Anastasia - Nearing Cocos Keeling

11:34.2S 097:58.6E 70 miles to goWe should get in at around 3am local time, all being well. Unfortunately we just had the evening SSB radio net and heard that several boats are having problems. Gunvor has a loose spreader and is having to motor the rest of the way in. It is fortunate that they are only 70 miles away from Cocos so they do not have to use much fuel to get there. Let's hope the spreader is an easy fix when at anchor because they will not be able to motor all the way across the Indian Ocean. We are 25 miles north of them, and there are a couple of other boats even closer, so there is assistance at hand if they need it, but currently they have secured the spreader to stop it banging against the mast and they are motoring along fine.Ruby has some kind of loose plate and they. read more...

Cheri - die Vorbereitung für die ARC 2012

Anne, Leo und Hans bereiten die Cheri in der Marina Las Palmas auf die ARC vor. Bei dem täglichen Sundowner gibt es die ersten Gespräche mit den Crew der anderen Schiffe.Es macht Spass.. read more...

Luna - Arrival in and visiting Horta, Faial

De sidste par dage på søen blev et kapløb med tiden: Kunne vi nå i havn, før den meldte storm ville indfinde sig på et tidspunkt mellem kl. 3 og 6 natten mellem den 29. og 30. maj? Vi gjorde, hvad vi kunne og satte den store jern-Genoa på, da der nærmest ikke var vind at sejle for.Resultatet blev, at vinden vandt kapløbet. Vi nåede at være ude i ca. 3 timer i stormen, før vi for helt nedpakkede sejl kunne krydse mållinjen i Horta og trætte gå i havn. Hele natten op til stormens begynden havde været præget af småregn og lidt større skyl krydret med en god gang dis, så det var umuligt at se langt og få land i sigte. Men...vi kom jo altså fint i land kl.. read more...

Enterprise - Designer Sailing

44.15.711N 009.53.379W1930 hrs 12 June 2012  Going below on a yacht pitching and yawing at sea is an experience. First you have to negotiate the companionway steps which must be done with speed but not haste, lest you are pitched into the saloon below, Inevitably you will hit one of those beautifully rounded, but very hard, mahogany corners. the impact on your body which you have honed to perfection by years of desk work will be painful, and provide another lasting memory.  Then you have to remove your lifejacket which is like one of those old parachute harnesses you see on fly boys in the old war movies. Ours are fully equipped with a whistle, a knife, a strobe light and an automatic gas cylinder. The crutch straps have to be stepped out. read more...

Andante of Mersey - Goodbye Salvador

We were very keen on visiting Brazil and now we arenot too sure.  From a personal security point of view it was most worrying- the fleet experienced  at least six muggings or pick pocket or knifethreatening incidents.  The rubbish collecting services seem to have givenup and even some of the magnificent building looked delapadated.  Howeverwe did hire a car and go on a four night tour, visiting a national park - whichincluded a 1km walk through an immense dark grotto - and some of the off shoreislands.  All very exciting especially the 40km drive along a pot holed, 50% sand 50 % broken tarmac, so called A class road!  All in all I think itfair too say that we are glad to be on our way although the weather is not beingkind to us - headwinds, current against and an unruly sea.  We wonder. read more...

Cosmic Dancer V - Time to leave the Caribbean

Day 1: Leaving TortolaAfter 3 days of stifling heat and humidity in the Marina at Nanny Cay it was almost a relief to be throwing off the lines and heading out to the start line for the Atlantic Cup. However, if we had hoped to experience instant relief then we were to be disappointed. The usually reliable easterly trade winds had all but disappeared, leaving us feeling just as hot offshore as it had been in the marina.With just 8 boats on the start line there was none of the tense pre-start jostling that had accompanied our start to the ARC 5 months earlier. The remainder of the fleet very generously held well back from the line, leaving us free to pick our spot and hoist the spinnaker unimpeded on the line. For a full 10 minutes Cosmic Dancer had the joy of leading the fleet down the. read more...

Destiny - "Basia"

Für Samstag, den 26.3., morgens um 9 Uhr, war die Ankunft von ‘Basia’ in der Port Louis Marina von St. George´s auf Grenada angesagt. Doch auch sie hatte wie schon wir drei Tage zuvor wegen der starken Gegenströmung Mühe, den Zeitplan einzuhalten. Erwartungsvoll fuhren wir zusammen mit vier weiteren Beibooten und den Besatzungen fast aller World ARC-Yachten bis weit über die Hafeneinfahrt hinaus in die Bucht, mit dem Plan, den Ankömmlingen mit Nebelhörnern, Pfeifen und Rätschen einen weithin tönenden Empfang zu bereiten. Vorweg kam ‘Eowyn’, und Skipper Graham und seine Crew wurden für ihren Einsatz und die professionell durchgeführte Hilfsaktion enthusiastisch gefeiert. Graham hatte, nachdem er von dem Zusammenstoß der ‘Basia’ mit dem (unbekannten) Frachter gehört. read more...

BRIZO - Monday 23 Sept 2012

We arrived at Christmas Island Saturday afternoon after a very fast passage from Bali. Unfortunately we arrived at the same time that the Australian authorities had towed in a refugee craft with 70 illegal immigrants. Customs and immigration was busy for several hours processing these guests (as they call them) and couldn't process our entry until the next morning. Seeing 70 souls depart from a small, derelict fishing boat was quite an experience for all of us, especially the girls who wondered about the whole issue of illegal immigration and what would happen with these people. When we were expecting to have our own legal entry processed the next morning (Sunday) we were again postponed because the authorities were processing another 160 illegal immigrants who were rescued at sea by a. read more...

Katerina - Las Palmas - Signing On!

Here we are in Las Palmas.  For those of you who've only just found out we're off to the Caribbean on Katerina.  We got a late entry on ARC 2012.  Preparations are just about complete so time for some serious partying before the start.  We leave on 25th November so wish us fair winds and calm seas (well not too fair, we do want to go quite fast!).  We will make an effort to keep this blog up to date so keep looking.Scott & Julia  "Katerina". read more...

Cleone - CLEONE in Brazil - Part 1 Bahia

Salvador - the Durban of Brazil?We're getting a very mixed impression of Brazil. Salvador, the port of our arrival, is superficially a wonderful city. Vast, vibrant, teeming with life it is the old capital of Brazil. The old town itself, perched above what is now quite a decent marina, is quite the most beautiful place you could imagine. 19th Century houses line the narrow and sometimes steep streets, with magnificent churches and other old public buildings. Pleasant to wander around during the day, at night its many busy restaurants will always find room for another table and chairs, even if it means blocking off the whole street. There's a cosmopolitan, party atmosphere, constant music and the Brazilians chat readily. But wander away from this heavily policed area, and you are in. read more...

Crazy Horse - Grenada

Here Maryann and I sit at La Sagesse Nature Center while Bill and Matt get our work done on Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse is on the hard at Grenada Marine nearby. I feel like a woman without a home. We are staying at La Sagesse which is a wonderful hotel stationed right on the beach within a lagoon that is far from the maddening crowd. My sister and I were stationed at Grenada Beach Resort for a few days too while Bill and Matt were working on Crazy Horse. So we have been touring around the island and seeing what it has to offer in the way of plants, flowers, scenery , shops, and food. Today we are going to Laura's Herb and Spice Center. They grow many of the spices and herbs that are exported from the island and also which are used in the many restaurants here. We have also been swimming. read more...

Enterprise - Diesel is not a brand

44.58.224N 009.29.112W1237 hrs 12 June 2012  The boat is bowling along at 6kts. The sun is shining I am wondering why the generator starts and then cuts out after 10 mins. with no apology. The batteries are on red alert. I forgot to check them! I went down below after persuading my loyal crew to come back on watch. Opening the engine compartment I am greeted by the sight of my trusty old Volvo diesel. Its much like visiting an aged but distant relation. You know you should visit more regularly, you like visiting but there is always a whiff of something not quite right. Hopefully in the case of your aged relation it wont be the smell of diesel or the pools of oil under them.  Back to the generator, housed in the engine compartment and. read more...

Endo 2 - daily log / Ponta Delgada 8.06.

Hallo an alle,nun haben wir einen Teil der Flotte verabschiedet. Sie sind bei diesigem Wetter Richtung Santa Maria gestartet und werden von dort weiter nach Lagos segeln. Nun wir nicht ... uns ruft der Norden und wir müssen uns langsam auf den Weg machen. Glücklicherweise werden wir nicht alleine fahren, die Pinta und auch die Voyageur haben ebenfalls Nordkurs. Morgen wollen wir los, das Wetter sieht ganz gut aus - jedenfalls für die nächsten 3 Tage. Danach werden wir sehen und merken. Sao Miguel ist eine schöne Insel und ein Urlaub würde sich wohl lohnen. Es gibt viel zu sehen und die Leute sind alle sehr nett und Englisch ist weit verbreitet. Der Yachthafen in Ponta Delgada ist riesig und einen Platz findet man immer. Auch "Via con me" mit Marina, Roland. read more...

Comocean - Off to Bermuda!

Comocean is off to Bermuda The crew has just prepared Comocean for its trip north as part of the World Cruising Club Atlantic Cup.  Veterans John Hoffman, and Norm Weill, from the Caribbean 1500 Rally in November, have returned and helped prepare Joel Stavana, Joanne’s twin brother, for the trip north.  All have worked diligently to prepare Comocean for the trip. We all attended safety classes two days ago.  This included flare lighting, raft deployment and raft exit and entry from boats and water.  We have enjoyed meeting the members of the other boats skipper and crew and eaten way to many hamburgers and fries (sorry ladies it’s men out of control).  We have enjoyed the great showers of Nanny Cay knowing that short showers at 25% heel lay. read more...

Brizo - BVI to Bermuda Day -1

Following two weeks in the British Virgin Islands with various friends visiting we have had yesterday and today (Wednesday) to prepare for our trip back into the Atlantic some 840nm to Bermuda. We leave tomorrow at mid day local time 17:00 BST. We are yet to catch up on the BriZo blog and will not now get internet until we are in Bermuda in 5+ days time. Murray joined us late Monday so it will just be three single watches 24 hours a day. We have managed to complete the ‘up mast rig checks’, main engine gearbox service, generator impellor change (it had blown apart again well under its normal hours), provisioning and of course the multitude of other jobs that are needed. The rest we will now do on the way and that includes the passage plan, but essentially we just head. read more...

La Medianoche - Las Palmas partys and preparations

It'sso good to be back! Medianoche arrived on early Monday morning after a wet and wild ride from Lanzarote. Since, there have been many "hello's", great parties and the good feeling that things are starting now! Now based in the Vela Latina, its a different atmosphere, but nice! Preparations are enormous like always, but in the end it will all work. This weekend my crew will be arriving and I am looking forward to their help. Until then I am working myself through the lists until the Sundowner calls. Thanks to the ARC team for making me feel welcome. Cheers, Mareike. read more...

Enterprise - Night Watch

47.46.684N 007.627W1210 hrs 11 June 2012  Another night watch and there is only Zulu, my imaginary helmsman, to talk to. It is the good ship Enterprise after all. Jaz served us brie sandwiches for lunch. I had asked for cheese but she thinks she is serving the third course at a dinner party. I suspect that the brie is testing my anti-seasickness tablets to the full. Maybe I should get sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. But then no. They have lost of guinea pigs and rabbits to test their potions on.My mind wanders to the sight of a large rabbit helming the yacht dressed in a smart waistcoat and singing "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date...". I must concentrate on my watch.  It is customary to wax lyrical about sailing - even. read more...

Basia - A thank you from back home

  Cat Neumann-Nowinski is the other daughter of Michael and Basia Neumann and has sailed on the family boat, also Basia, during previous legs of World ARC. She knows the other Rally crews well and wrote the message below, following the safe arrival of the dismasted Basia, her parents and sister Anna yesterday.I just saw the update on the website and the footage of my Basia's arrival into Grenada.  There are no words that can truly express how grateful I am that my parents are part of such an amazing rally. After hearing of their accident I felt totally helpless being thousands of miles away here in Texas.  However, knowing that my parents were with other rally boats I knew they were in good hands. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to. read more...

Anastasia - En route to Cocos Keeling

10:57.8S 100:45.3E  290 miles covered, 237 miles to go We are just over half way from Christmas Island to Cocos Keeling.  The start of the passage was a continuation of our arrival at Christmas Is, with good winds and current pushing us along at 11 to 12 knots.  First we lost the current and then the wind died away so now we are plodding along at 6 to 7 knots, due to arrive in the early hours the day after tomorrow. It is actually quite lucky that we have slowed down because yesterday the prop shaft brake on the port engine failed and the prop started freewheeling.  This is only a problem when we are sailing at over 10 knots through the water, when the prop spins rapidly enough to unfold completely and then the transmission starts to complain.  It is. read more...

Zingara - Zingara auf Reisen

Guten Tag Ihr treuen Leser,weiter gehts....nach drei Tagen auf der schönen Insel San Miguel inPonta Delgada werden wir am heutigen Abend an der Regatta des örtlichen Yachtclubs nach Santa Maria teilnehmen und die 55 Meilen durch die Nacht in hoffentlichordentlicher Zeit hinter uns bringen, unser Sieg von Bermuda nach Horta verpflichtet ! Die Flotte dünnt sich aus, einige Yachten segeln direkt nach Lagos,einige Yachten aus GB oder IRL. treten die Heimreise ebenfalls direkt von hier aus an. Also, immer häufiger heißt es leider, Abschied nehmen. Naja, irgendwann und irgendwo sieht man sich sicher wieder. Unsere Crew hat für den Rest der Tour einen Wechsel erfahren können,Wolfgang aus Schwanheim ist zu uns gestoßen und wird uns auf den letzten. read more...

Talulah Ruby II - Bahia Beards

Salvador was just unbearably hot,even though we were really pleased to be there. The old part of the city was,buzzing with loud music, busy with tourists, traffic, a million people trying to sell you just about anything, and more than a few ARC yachties being mugged!!!    So we hung around for a few parties and the prize giving and got the hell out. We spent the next few days anchored on some of the small islands in the bay, still managed to be in the vicinity of two near violent fights, so sailed down the coast along with Kealoha, to a fantastically laid back Island of Morro Sao Paulo. What a contrast; sleepy place, just sand roads, great bars and restaurants, so have been able to chill out, sunbath, swim, and read yet more books. Tomorrow we set sail again up the coast for 400 miles to. read more...

North Point - Ready for the off again

Due to a sudden change of plan we’re leaving at lunchtime. The gales have blown through and it should be all right to go. Falmouth is lovely but we are really looking forward to some heat. I won’t have time to ring you all before we go but hopefully should be able to due some blogging on the way and definitely when we get to Bayona. So, time to start tracking us on the fleet viewer later today.. read more...

Matilda - Broken Record for my Birthday

Today is the 23rd September and I can no longer claim to be anything less than middle aged. Sadly, it's my 45th birthday... but on the bright side, we broke our all-time 24 hour distance record over night - 181 miles covered to 6am! The crossing from Bali to Cocos Keeling has been fairly uneventful, with good winds out of the South East most of the time. The sea is getting a bit rolly, but when the current is with us by up to 2 knots, we are not going to complain.I finally managed to get some sleep last night after a couple of days without sleep. I still have no idea why I can't sleep on some passages, whilst on others I seem to sleep fairly well. I think I just get used to the 8 hours sleep at night in port and find adjusting to a broken sleep pattern a bit tricky. I had hoped that by. read more...

Voyageur - Log day 268 - Happy Basia Landings!

25 March 2011 Basia and her protective convoy have come home, nine days and over 1000nm since her collision with a ship. We all agreed between us that we would launch our tenders, go out into the bay and welcome home our intrepid little fleet of four, Eowyn, Tucanon, and Jeannius leading in the disabled yacht. The word was that they would arrive around 9am so we set our alarms for 7am, unwillingly may I add. Of course the wind and currents and weather were at odds and their ETA was delayed a few hours. At last by mid morning we started to pick up their VHF radio calls and with Jenny and John we joined in with many of the other boats to go out to meet and greet. What a noisy lot we were with our hooters and horns and whistles. It was a real party atmosphere. From a distance we could see. read more...

Kasuje - Brazil...!!!

Hi from skipper SteveWe finally arrived in Salvador in the early hours of yesterday. 4 weeks at sea with great company and we laughed, eat and drank all the way. Salvador on first sighting is hot,(in fact b***y hot), sultry, vibrant and noisy. We have just a couple of days here before we catch flights back to the UK and after 35+ degrees even some cold and snow looks attractive.Our passage from Cape Town as I previously stated was slow and without incident and I must greatly thank Bruce, Angela and Nikko for making it so enjoyable and possible. Nikko's humor, Bruces manners and Angela's forbearance made what at first appeared a daunting passage just brilliant. Bruce and Angela have now completed four of the major ocean legs and I could not have been blessed with better sea chums, I thank. read more...

Freedom Found - Log Day 16 Thurs Whales ahoy!

Hi Guys Yes were still going but not far to go now (for this leg!) It appears the brick has not been sending automaticupdates to allow you to track us. Were currently 257 nm west of Horta Faial Azores. Were expecting to arrive Sat pm. Hopefully by 2pm - bets are on..... Weather outlook is good for next few days with WSW winds 10-20kts. Having gone south to avoid the bad weather were now back along the 38 latitude heading on a direct run to the Azores. As we have no meat now (other than cans :-( Marisa is fishing again. Mark is continuing to do an excellent job in the galley and is proud to say that he has not repeated any meal since leaving Ft Lauderdale. Quite a feat! & well done!! Irish stew with last of meatlast night was yummy (remainder I understand will be converted to a curry. read more...

Morpion - First arrival in Las Palmas

Hello all !The very first of us will be heading to Las Palmas this week-end !I will join Christophe and Julien on Sunday to perform the last communication/information system adjustments.We are all looking forward for the start!CheersAntoine. read more...

Trillium - Log 2 Atlantic Cup Rally Dresses Up!

Atlantic Cup Rally Preparations The excitement is in the air here on the docks at Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola, BVI! The boats for the Atlantic Cup Rally and the ARC Europe Rally are coming in and hoisting the dress flags. The dock looks wonderful. It is fun to see old friends as they arrive in port. We are one of four Hallberg-Rassy vessels berthed here on A Dock. There are a couple more on other docks so the HR’s are well represented. Two of us are headed to the USA and the others are going to Europe, returning home after a winter of sailing across and then up and down the island chain. We will all rendezvous in Bermuda again before heading our separate ways.  We plan to sail with ARC Europe next year if things go well.   The Rally is such a great way to meet other. read more...

Anastasia - Christmas Island

10:25.6S 105:40.2EWe are now at Christmas Island, where we have been taking a 48 hour break on our way to Cocos Keeling. We had good wind and current on our last day of sailing which meant that we covered 257 miles in the final 24 hours. This is not as impressive as it seems because of the 1 to 2 knot current helping us along, but still a new record for Anastasia as far as distance covered over the ground.We arrived at 8am local time which meant that after we had cleared customs there was plenty of time to walk around town, check out the supermarkets for provisioning and do some snorkelling in the bay. Christmas Island has world class diving and snorkeling and one of the good snorkel sites is the bay where we are anchored (Flying Fish Cove).Today we went on a tour of the island. It is. read more...

Satika - in Las Palmas!

Am Samstag 10. November haben wir im Hafen von Las Palmas festgemacht! Die Reise von Gibraltar nach Gran Canaria war zwar schnell, aber sehr beschwerlich! Zuerst mussten wir eine Kaltfront durchqueren und auf der Rückseite wartete eine steife Brise mit hohen Wellen auf uns!Oyster_111001pm_0117. read more...

Page 43 of 224  41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62