Daily Logs

Hot Stuff - 15:07.07N 32:40.200W

Last night was a mixture. We overtook a boat over night that we could see and there were lulls in the weather meaning we were slower than we would like until aroun 0400 when the wind shifted and blew up almost 40 degrees and 20 knots. We flew for some time on this which was fantastic. We also passed what we think was a fishing vessel working too.I finished watch at 8am and went down below to get the engine running. The engine started as normal and so I moved onto the water maker, which, as we were now back stuck in light airs was running well and we were not getting any airlocks in the system. Then came the engine alarm! OVER HEAT. We are running at tick over to so its not working hard so there has to be a problem somewhere. Opening up the engine cover and you could smell the heat and. read more...

Wolkenschlößchen - Day 10 - Blue Marlin stole our last bait

Our fishing luck this trip has not been great. We caught a tiny Mahi Mahi that we released back and a somewhat bigger one that gave us a small sashimi meal. So we were a bit sad that step by step we were losing our baits for different reasons. Yesterday, we prepared the last of our octopus baits into a nice lure line. And today, a huge Blue Marlin went for it. Too big for our line, it snapped immediately. Impressive was the sight though. That monster of a fish kept jumping 2 meters out of the water a few times, nicely showing us our complete lure line that it was carrying in its mouth. So to all other crews, if you catch him, we marked him first :-) We are sailing pretty fast in the trade winds, reaching new records in our daily distances. So far without trouble. During the. read more...

JaZoFi - JaZoFi day 9

This morning breakfast included a smoothie, how good it tasted on the ocean.Good mileage today with a 24 hour stint of more than 200 nautical miles. Nice winds of 20 knots aft of the beam. JaZoFi continued to perform well under double headsails, staysail and main. That’s all the sail cloth on board except what has been through the shredder!Scotty fired up the BBQ this afternoon, good Aussie BBQ at 10 knots in 20 knots of breeze with the boat rolling around needed to be recorded - so Scotty did a ditty to share with loved ones.. read more...

Aqualuna - Midnight Sun: Day 12 (on the night watch)

I can hardly believe our luck! We’ve had champagne sailing for the last few days.  Aqualuna has settled down into her groove and is joyously dashing along under a blue, blue sky with a spicy force 4-5 filling the twins. She’s rocking and rolling merrily along with the following seas. It’s wall-to-wall sunshine out here with the bluest ocean imaginable.  However, it is the night time that is truly spectacular.  We have been lucky enough to have a full moon for the last few days and she is shining fit to burst her buttons and making the night watches truly spectacular.  We are looking forward to arriving in Grenada - and ever so slightly envious that those speedy speed merchants who’ve been leading the pack all the way are (unbelievably) due in. read more...

Blue Pepper - Blue Pepper - day 9, 27/11

Life aboard the good ship Blue Pepper is now well settled into the routine of ocean sailing, although the days vary greatly with the weather of course.Yesterday (Sunday 26th) was particularly special as Peter celebrated his 60th birthday in the middle of he Atlantic. The last of the lettuce was still in good shape as the base for a salad to go with the steak and a decent bottle of red, then some ship-baked cake - all of which made a proper birthday dinner. All the while we rolled along through our third continuous day under Parasailor, making 183 miles - our daily record so far.Today the weather has been a little more spicy! We planned to drop the spinnaker to deal with some chafe issues after several days aloft, but the gathering wind brought that decision earlier in the day - when we. read more...

Champagne Hippy - Day 9 - 27th November

Tonight we finally have the full moon we have been expecting. The last two nights have put on a fantastic show, with those not lunar calendar aligned you could have expected last night to be the full moon with the size and amount of light it was giving off. Last night's moon also had a “moon halo”. Apparently this ring is created by an optical illusion caused by the refraction of moonlight from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere. It was a beautiful sight. The wind has picked up today and is blowing between 18 and 24 enabling us to make more pace than the last few days of lighter wind. This evening we enjoyed fajitas cooked by Jonnie alongside our eagerly awaited mid-way beer! Champagne Hippy Crew x. read more...

Northern Light II - Monday 27th November

Durning the night the winds speed did increase as expected to 21.5 knots so the decision to go to white sails was correct. No squalls yet….We also had a few visitors in the night. During Geertje’s watch a small flying fish landed in the cockpit - luckily Geertje was alright. After Geertje I was on watch and suddenly I heard a thud in the cockpit - another flying fish had landed this time bouncing off the floor an going down the gap on on the swim platform . As daylight broke we found 2 more on the deck!Stronger winds were forecast today so we have stayed on white sails which means we cannot take a direct course - the same is forecast for tomorrow,Still no fish only weed caught today ! Another normal day otherwise with Sarah and Geertje finding the day on the coach roof listening to a. read more...

Adrienne - Sunday at Sea – Und wie unsere zweite Woche auf See beginnt

Blog Adrienne 26.-27.11.2023Blogschreiber: ThorstenLiebe Fans und Follower der Adrienne,wir hatten ein etwas lässiges Wochenende, so dass es einen zusammenfassenden Beitrag über die Geschehnisse des Sonntags und den Beginn der zweiten Segelwoche an Bord der Adrienne gibt. Vielleicht noch ein Nachtrag zum Spa-Tag am Samstag: Die Adrienne verfügt über einen potenten Watermaker, der aus Meerwasser entsalztes und mikrofiltriertes Trinkwasser herstellt. Zum Betrieb ist es jedoch notwendig, dass der Motor – ohne Vortrieb zu geben, also nicht eingekuppelt auf das Getriebe – bei ca. 1.100 Touren läuft. Schließlich muss das System einen Druck von 60 bar erzeugen, damit die Tanks sich mit dem ersehnten Trinkwasser und Duschwasser füllen. Um den Dieselverbrauch so gering, wie möglich, zu halten,. read more...

Valent - Less than a 1000 to go

A couple of days of contrasting activities. Yesterday was quite relaxed making good progress West. We had fun with the sextant and I surpassed expectations with my noon sight achieving a latitude only 0.6nm from the GPS. The evening sun was not quite so good.Learning:it is not a good idea to try and take a sun sight when the sail obscures the sun and horizon.We also celebrated half way with showers on the aft deck. During our routine of running the generator and charging batteries during the dog watch period the generator packed up. A blocked sea water intake was suspected and cleared. The genny then ran again for a bit before packing up. Today has been about trying to fix the genny. We have changed both the fuel filter, air filter and done the spacing on the exhaust valve. But while the. read more...

Cassini Blog#61 - Running down the rhum line to the rum

We passed the halfway mark, 1080 miles, on our voyage across the Atlantic yesterday, marked with a beer and snacks to accompany lunch, and later in the evening, a three-course meal. Delicious. We've had more wind for the last three days, resulting in our daily runs increasing from a little more than 120 miles a day (at most) to between 140-150, a welcome change from the light wind start from Mindelo. The higher winds and swells of the last three days have made it more difficult to come up with the best adjustment to Mildred the Hydrovane - in an ocean swell she needs more of the subtlety of Strictly's Anton Du Beke than one of the brash youngsters, to ensure Cassini's 16 tons are manoeuvred on a consistent and manageable course across the ocean.The surface sea weed has been a real issue. read more...

Asante - Blog 9 of the never ending poem

Day 9 gave me a memory, the best there has ever been.When tears of laughter ran down my cheeks over what I had just seen.I had awoken early.My early watch had beckoned.I stepped out through my cabin door.Leaving Ian asleep I reckoned.When suddenly the door swung wide.Ian stood there almost naked.He shouted something loud and long.His words I contemplated.I looked behind him on the bed.And there where I had lain.A flying fish was fluttering, clearly in some pain.The window it had come through, was barely 5 inches high.Not even near the waterline, but along the decks nearby. I’m not sure who’s had the greatest shock.Ian whose skipper or me.Cos that there fish that landed, was where my head should be.Encounters with the wildlife were not quite over yet.Because I have not told you, of our. read more...

Water Sprite - Prize for Flaking?

If there's a prize for the best flaked halyard, we'd like to be considered please!. read more...

Tahira - TAHIRA ARC BLOG D-Day 8 [27-Nov-23]

TAHIRA ARC BLOGD-Day 8 [27-Nov-23]Location: Open Seas - AtlanticLat: 16,54N Long: 29.17WSAILING SPEAKSo far we have tried to keep the blog relatively low tech in terms of sailing speak.But for the hardened sailors amongst you, and those interested in learning more about the actual sailing - here are some highlights.Tahira- Our boat Tahira is a 42 foot Vancouver cutter built in 1987.She was originally made in the Taiwan for a US sailor in San Diego and made her way over to Europe in the 90s.At some point it would be good to find out more of her history.Boat configurationShe is designed as a 'blue water' cruiser - i.e. can go anywhere in the world.- She has a cutter rig, an extra foresail, which gives her more power to windward.- She has a heavy displacement and weighs 13 tonnes.- She has. read more...

Blog 9 Freedom Monday 27th November 2023

G’day Simon here:We were woken at dawn on Monday morning to the skipper rousing crew for a potential spinnaker drop as a possible squall had been sighted. This followed a night, and indeed most the of the previous day, of rollicking downwind sailing in 10-20 knots of breeze with wave assisted speeds of 9 knots not uncommon and an 11 sighted. After assessing the conditions for a while our faithful but occasionally temperamental Red engine (spinnaker) remained aloft and I went back to bed. On waking Chris had made a plunger of coffee, a more genteel way to start the day for a second time. We were also accompanied by a pod of what I think are dolphins, though opinions vary, during the morning. Perhaps these graceful creatures were attracted by Simon Merrys playlist that has had us bopping. read more...

Hot Stuff - 16:05.546N 30:27.02W

1769NM to go!So we have made solid progress today moving to more Westerly direction still trying to avoid the weather or rather the Blue areas of no wind. The rollers are building behind so getting some good surf speed in at the moment just under white sails as the wind has improved to a more steady 15-19 knots. Swell is still a little broken and confused but certainly more regular than it has been.First thing this morning there was what looked to be an aircraft carrier on the horizon and around 5 boats in the area with mast lights. We have lost sight of them over the day so don't know if they are ahead or we managed to pass them yet.The skipper got a shower earlier although it hadn't been requested a bucket of warm sea water dumped over him to. read more...

Pure Fun - 9. Tag mit der X 5.6 Pure Fun auf dem Atlantik

 27.11.2023, 13:30 Uhr UTCGestern segelten wir nach reichlichen Überlegungen unter Gennaker nach SSW.Wir wollten endlich mehr Wind und unsere Strategie, mitbedenkende Parasailor auf direktem Wege nach Sant Lucia zu kommen ging nicht auf. Das Flautenfeld lag wohl doch südlicher als in der Wetterkarte. Um 18:00 Uhr mit neuer Wetterkarte überlegten wir ob wir durch die Nacht weiter mit 220° unter Gennaker, oder mit dem Parasailor 250° Segeln sollten. Der Wind nahm zum Abend hin zu und so entschieden wir uns für den Parasailor. So segelten wir mit 15-19 Kn Wind und 6-8 Knoten Speed durch die Nacht. Die Welle brachte das Boot ins Rollen. Was bedeutet, dass wir im Bett hin und her geschaukelt wurden. Bei mir hat nicht einmal mehr stabile Seitenlage verhindert, von links nach rechts zu. read more...

Vitamin Sea - Tag 7: Eine Woche auf See: Von Meilensteinen und Magie, Sonntag, der 26. November 2023

Die Nacht vom 25. auf den 26. November 2023: Eine friedliche NachtHeute sind wir fast bei Vollmond unterwegs. Die Helligkeit, die der Mond spendet, ist wirklich beeindruckend. Kein zusätzliches Licht ist nötig. Alles ist klar und deutlich zu sehen. Wahrlich magisch.Peter hatte sich bereit erklärt, die Nacht im Salon zu verbringen, um im Notfall schnell ansprechbar zu sein, sollte Anna seine Unterstützung benötigen. Glücklicherweise war dies jedoch nicht nötig und Anna absolvierte souverän ihre Nachwache.Als ich meine Nachtwache antrat, sah ich Nicolas auf dem Achterdeck schlafen. Offenbar schien es ihm gemütlicher zu sein als in seiner Kabine, die durch die Lage doch etwas heftiger schwankt. Oder vielleicht war er einfach zu faul, um ins Bett zu gehen – wer kann es ihm verübeln?Die Nacht. read more...

Time AUT - Time AUT on ARC 2023

The “Time AUT” team consists of six sailors from Lake Constance / Austria, an Icelander and a Spanish-American. We are sailing together for the first time in this constellation and our goal is to cross the Atlantic safely and comfortably.In addition to a young doctor, we have a boat builder and a sailing professional masterchef from Iceland with us.As a sailing experiment, we also have a Blue Water Runner for deep downwind courses and relaxed sailing. It has proven very effective so far. . read more...

Blue Pearl - Blue Pearl log

With the winds now slightly increased we are making good progress and our 24 hour distance yesterday was 160 miles, which is more like it! During the night we had our first squall of the trip, just before we switched watches the wind changed a bit and the rain started. I helmed through the squall as I was the quickest to get my waterproof jacket on, which soon passed over. We were on the look out for squalls for the rest of the night but the two that we spotted didn’t come to anything. We have a few boats around us this morning and Henry is currently chatting on the radio to a non ARC boat called BEA that has been nearby overnight. Apparently they were trying to contact us for a few days, and sounded very excited when Henry replied this morning!. read more...

Freedom - Blog 8 Freedom Sunday 26th November 2023

Your author, Nigel the Great. Todays report is coming to you from approximately 450nm off the west coast of Africa heading WSW.Life on the Ocean wave! A powerful experience. Whilst there is lots of banter among the boys, there are also lots of moments of quite reflection, appreciation and gratitude. We are all, including you, at different points on our journey of life, and for me, I feel extremely privileged to be on this boat, fulfilling a 35 year old dream, of sailing an ocean. On the evening watch, alone on deck, sitting, staring out onto the moonlit vastness of the Atlantic, I find it impossible not to ponder my life. With its highs and lows, often coming back to the acceptance of everything, knowing that time is marching on, to look forward not back, and I must try as hard as I can. read more...

Freedom - Blog 7 Freedom Saturday 24 November

Ian Whit on the quillComing up to a week at Sea and I’m wondering if I’m on the right boat.Firstly there are 2 Haworths on board and I have to report , no arguments have taken place. In fact there has barely been a raised voice .Secondly we have become , what I would describe as a respectable well behaved crew.We shower daily , eat well and together , play cards but don’t gamble , drink but not alcohol , exercise , attend our Watches promptly and generally seem to be rolling along with one another without any issues.Now I appreciate that I maybe still hallucinating from the mushroom stroganoff or I maybe asleep and it’s all a pleasant dream but whatever it is , I’m enjoying it while I can. Yesterday saw a day of significant activity , well from our mouths at least. As Stu mentioned. read more...

Freedom - Blog 6 - Friday 24 November 2023

Editor Stuart Aston After I complained to my best mate yesterday about dobbing me in to all of you who read this blog about my very small recycle feu pa, his reply was “well you do it then” so here we go.I often Stand in the cockpit (clipped on of course), and look around a complete 360 degrees , all you can see is water, horizon and sky. At certain times of the day this allows you to experience some very special sunrises and sunsets and I have been lucky enough over the last couple of days to experience two amazing sunsets. Nigel tried to do a time laps on his phone, but unfortunately this didn’t quite have the desired effect, two amazing sunrises, I cannot remember every seeing the sun rise up from the horizon and this morning I watched the moon set below the horizon, special moments. read more...

Second Wind - Second Wind is up to the challenge

Greetings from Second Wind !On our boat we love challenges. When we heard about Bacchus planking record, we just had to give it a try. And we have a new champion: Scott stayed an impressive 7'20 !!We also set a new challenge: to celebrate the arrival on the trade winds, Pierre shaved his head. Any other crew member up to that ? And as yesterday was definitely a busy day, we fished two wahoo on the same day. We had to ask Dom to stop fishing, we just don't have any space left in the fridge !. read more...