Daily Logs

Sweet Dream - Day 58 March 12, 2019

Another grey morning with no proper sunrise, just thick clouds across the entire sky. At daylight Captain shook out the reef in the sails, which through out the 22 knot wind gusts of the night proved to have been quite useful, and we heeled over and took off like a shot. No gentle cruising today. Our hull speed is 8.7, we were hitting 10 knots of speed over ground aswe surfed the following waves! Halfway through the morning the sun made a short appearance in a small patch of blue. This heartened our spirits immensely. Captain re rigged the fishing lines and put them out, but there were no takers. Lunch was a bowl of fresh veggies made up into a gazpacho cold soup, quite yummy and refreshing in the relentless heat. We are very thankful for the crazy “conservatory” around our cockpit that. read more...

Sweet Dream - Day 57 March 11, 2019

We are sailing on the moon path now as the smiling old man slides into the west. We are so happy to see his face, after three days of clouds it looks like the sky may be clearing a bit. Today was a wild, woolly, sailing day. Galloping across cresting seas trailing their green bridal trains edged in frothy lace foam we seemed to be in a mad dash that hasn’t moderated even in the darkness of night. All morning the winds blew from the south south east between 14 and 16 knots, directly on our beam,then by mid afternoon they piped up into the low 20’s. We tucked a reef into both the Genoa and the main, this didn’t reduce our speed, just lessened the intensity of the angle of heel. Captain caught a small yellow fin tuna, then at sundown some big monster hit the deep sea rod and reel set and. read more...

Sweet Dream - Day 56 March 10, 2019

Sir Frances Drake once said, “It’s not that life onshore is distasteful to me, it’s just that life at sea is better.” Today was one of those better days. In the early morning there was just a hint of blue making a showing in the dull grey sky. The wind had blown nicely all night, the seas were if not flattening out, at least becoming more organised. We put up all three sails of our cutter rig, and were enjoying a fine beam reach. We had our friends’ Glen and Mary on Danica 1’s AIS signature pop up on our chart plotter as they zoomed past us, so we hailed them on vhf, switched to ssb, and had a lovely chat. After lunch we hooked not one, but two pretty Mahi Mahis at the same time! One on each rig! First time that has ever happened! In the afternoon it was smooth enough sailing to get some. read more...

Sweet Dream - Day 55 March 9,2019

We were determined to find the tradewinds. All morning we slogged along feeling like a bit of laundry stuck in a washing machine rinse cycle. The seas jounced, and trounced and shook us, the sky poured out rain. The water would run off the boat in streams, dry up for a couple moments, then the whole process would begin again! It was very disheartening. We had spent the past three years looking so forward to crossing the Pacific a second time, because it was such a lovely journey the first time, now here we were, in the Pacific, but not loving it. Ol Tranquility was NOT living up to her name; in fact, she was behaving more abominably than her mean sister, Atlantic! The only bright spot in our routine was a small pilot whale that came arcing over the waves from the starbrd side, dove UNDER. read more...

Sweet Dream - Day 54 March 8, 2019

Today our noon to noon run was 170 miles. Sounds impressive except that for fifteen of those 24 hours we were motor sailing. Somehow the ITCZ is much wider than we expected this time. Four years ago we traversed the Pacific from Panama City to Nuka Hiva.. That was 4,200 miles. We have already run the motor more in 600 miles than in all of that first trip! The barometer dropped five points in 24 hours and the swell from the south west has grown to over three meters, despite the utter lack of wind. We keep doggedly motoring southward trying to find the tradewinds, but so far they have proven elusive and hard to get. Even in the squalls which we have been experiencing since 15:00 this afternoon, there is very little wind,(and what there is, is coming from exactly the wrong direction...south. read more...

Sweet Dream - Day 53 March 7, 2019

It was a sparkling night when I came up at 22:00 for my first three hour watch. The electric fish parade was extraordinary, glittering away from under our hull in disco flashes that caught my eye even as I was writing on the iPad. On the starboard beam was small galaxy of fellow WARC boats, the reassuring comfort of their twinkles making me smile. Above the WARC orbs, Orion and his hounds chased the hare across the black velvet turf of the sky. On our port side, the lone star of Niobe gleamed, gliding along under Alpha Centari and the Southern Cross. We were on a port tack, flying our code zero reacher, and about half the main sail, both sheeted in fairly tight, because the wind was mostly on the beam with a few wanderings now and then to the aft quarter. This using the big head sail at. read more...

Sweet Dream - Day 52 March 6, 2019

Departure day arrives at last! Final rubbish pick up accomplished at 0715! Thank you Victor, of the yellow shirt team for keeping a fire lit under the local guys who came round to the boats and collected our rubbish and recycling. I appreciate that Galapagos is very “green” but found being able to only clear rubbish off the boat every few days quite difficult. It was a fantastic start to the day to have the rubbish and recycling gone before a three week journey to French Polynesia! Flags came down, kayaks and the dinghy were stowed aboard, the sea lion defences cleared away, lines run, sails checked, rigging inspected, life jackets out, ditch bags packed, water tanks filled, fuel topped off, all small objects inside and out secured for sailing. Anchors up, and we were off to the start. read more...

Sweet Dream - Day 51 March 5, 2019

Today we enjoyed one last tour of Santa Cruz. Along with Glen and Mary from Danica 1, we took a glass bottom boat journey around the bay, hiked over lava fields to a nesting beach for marine iguanas, and watched the guys snorkel where there were turtles, sea lions, octopus, marine iguanas, (these unusual creatures were the inspiration for the Aliens in the cult classic movie, Alien! Watching them swim, I really see the resemblance). It was the perfect way to wind down our time in Galapagos. On the way back to our boat I watched a frigate bird swoop down and take a fish right out of a pelican’s mouth. Crazy nature! I knew the Frigate birds steal from other birds, but that was the first time I’d ever seen one of the aerial pirates in action. After two weeks of “living in an episode of. read more...

Sweet Dream - Day 50 March 3, 2019

Today was a day of wrapping up loose ends to be ready for the start of our journey to French Polynesia. We hired a wonderful taxi driver named Elias to take us all over town for various errands. We visited six places in three hours, finishing at the vegetable market where we stocked up on fresh goodies to tide us over across the Pacific. We arrived back at the boat with treats for the humans and the boat herself, tucked everything away and got ready for the evening. Captain went to the skipper’s briefing and Laura picked up the laundry and took it back to the boat before meeting him for the prize giving ceremony and supper. Ha! Little did we know that our crazy fiasco of leaving all our hatches, portholes and the plastic cockpit surround open during the rain of Biblical proportions in. read more...

Smoke and Roses - Disappointments In Brazil

Logged 242 Nautical Miles, 3 8.75 Hours737.25 Hours Sailing, 1.5 Hours MotoringFebruary 22 - March 7Fernando De Noronah to Cabedelo Cabedelo, Brazil is situated approximately 100 nautical miles south of Natal where the Rio Paraiba enters the sea. It is on the eastern bank of the northern Paraiba River estuary.We traveled the 1 ½ days, 242 nautical mile trip from Fernando to Cabedelo mostly by ourselves. With 15 knots of wind at 110 degrees was a smooth, fast sail. A Brazilian coast guard plane buzzed us mid-morning then called on WHF 16 for information on our last and next ports as well as how many on board. It is always comforting to know coastal waters are being patrolled. Reefs were put in the sails to slow us down for a morning arrival. Our timing was perfect, after motoring. read more...

Misto - March 25-27 2019: a great end to the last leg of WARC

We have enjoyed the last couple of days based here at the Port Louis marina. We have done a little more exploring, provisioned and got our repaired gennaker back. Last night was a great prize giving party and we were so proud to win this last leg (multihull division).This has truly been a great experience - and of course it’s not quite over yet. Every country and island has had something different to offer and the insights into different cultures have been amazing and,sometimes, humbling. From a sailing perspective we have learnt that we enjoy the camaraderie of a rally and really appreciate the administrative support at each stop over- so we will be back for more rallies without a doubt!. read more...

Danica I - Log Day 18 - Sunday, March 24, 2019 - Caught a Wahoo

Log Day 18 - Sunday, March 24, 2019 - Caught a Wahoo, crossed the 3000 NM mark and arrived to French PolynesiaAfternoon Report - Saturday - 12:00- 18:00Wind: 10 knots - sailing 6 + knotsSails: Genoa/ Code Zero - wing-on-wingSunny afternoon, slow sailingCaptain caught a fish - A Wahoo- well doneNight Watch - 18:00 - 06:00Wind: 12-14 knots, sailing 6-7 knots Sails: Genoa/ Code Zero - wing-on-wing1.5 m seas - beautiful moon and the stars/ no squallsSunday report- 06:00- arrivalWinds:15- 20 knots - gusts 20+/ sailing 7-8 knotsSails: Genoa/ Code Zero - wing-on-wing12:00 - Distance measured by SOW - 3086 NM (164 NM - day 18) 19: 29 - Arrived in Hiva- OaTotal Distance from the Galapagos: 3125 NMTotal Time: 18 days, 7.5 hrsTotal Motoring: 18 hrs, 5 minutes. read more...

Misto - March 16-24 2019: On to Grenada

It was a great, fast passage to Grenada from Iles du Salut. That is, right until the last 75 nm. We rounded to “safety mark” set by WCC and the wind, now dead astern, died on us. This meant that we arrived just after 8 am on March 20 - I suppose that it at least meant we arrived in daylight. After tying up on the super yacht dock for a few hours and checking in we were moved to our berth. It’s a lovely marina, close to the town of St George, and convenient for most things. We have rented a car - but I have to admit that you take your life in your hands driving here and we will certainly not be driving at night. In a couple of outings we have pretty much gone right around this volcanic and mountainous island. The center is full of beautiful rain forest, the east coast is somewhat battered. read more...

Tintin - Almost there, nearly

Today the wind has been playing games with us, dropping down at times so that our boat speed has temporarily halved and Tintin wallows around in the swell. It's surprisingly frustrating when we are so near to landfall, but not sure if we will make it in before dark tomorrow night or not. The bay on Hiva Oa is quite exposed and pretty crowded. We won't risk entering in the dark, so all fingers on board are crossed for enough wind and boat speed to get us there without the need to stand off overnight tomorrow.The Marquesaas are 9.5 hours behind GMT, so by the time you are having breakfast or heading off to work on Monday morning in the UK I hope we will have dropped our anchor. I have been distracting myself today by baking bread and a chocolate and walnut cake... it isn't so easy to. read more...

Danica I - Log Day 17- We are getting Close- 200 NM from Hiva- Oa

Log Day 17- Saturday, March 23, 2019 - 215 NM to Hiva -OaAfternoon Report - Friday - 12:00- 18:00Wind: 12-14 knots - sailing7.5 knotsSails: Genoa/ Code 0 -WoWSunny afternoon, nice sailingNight Watch - 18:00 - 06:00Wind: 12-15 knots, sailing 7 knots Sails: Genoa/Code 0-WoW2 m seas - beautiful moon and the starsMorning report- Saturday- 06:00-12:00Winds:12 knots - sailing 6-7 knotsSails: Genoa/Code 0- WoW 12:00 - Distance measured by SOW - 2922 NM (161 NM - day 17). read more...

Smoke and Roses - Fun and Prizes For Everyone

Logged 1114 Nautical Miles, 8 Days 2.75 Hours158.5 Hours Sailing 36.25 Hours MotoringFebruary 10 – 21, 2019Ascension Island to Fernando De Noronha Approaching Fernando De Noronha from the east, I was awed with the stunning natural beauty of the islands unique high, rocky peaks and endless sandy beaches. Of the 20 islets in the archipelago Fernando De Noronha is the only inhabited one. 30% of the island is for civil use, the rest is a strictly controlled Marine National Park. The island boasts of having the largest resident population of dolphins in the world.We had some good times and some bad times during the eight day South Atlantic passage from Ascension Island to Fernando De Noronha. Day one was sunny and nice with good sailing on a broad reach with white sails. A fish got on. read more...

Tintin - The Truman Show

Our progress across the charts, both paper and electronic, continues. It really is the only evidence that we've moved at all.Some years ago there was a film called The Truman Show, in which a rather dumb Jim Carrey character comes to realise that his whole life is a reality-TV show produced in a vast set and all the people in his life were actually actors.He tries to escape by sailing away, only to bump into the wall of the set.Since then they've obviously improved the set for us by making the water move past the boat so we don't get to the edge, but apart from that we could be in the same movie.We get so-amazing-it-has-to-be-fake sunsets and moonrises.We get strange creatures, squids & flying fish, landing on the deck. We're cut off from the 'real world' almost completely - the only. read more...

Danica I - Log- Day 16- 175 NM Closer to our Destination

Log Day 16- Friday, March 22, 2019 - 175 NM closer to our destination Afternoon Report - Thursday - 12:00- 18:00Wind: 12 knots - sailing 7 knotsSails: Genoa/ Code 0 -WoWSunny afternoon, calm seas, light windA large fish got away- Captain figured it was a Marlin as it took the line and the hook- sausages for dinnerNight Watch - 18:00 - 06:00Wind: 15 knots, sailing 7-8 knots Sails: Genoa/Code 0-WoW1.5m seas - beautiful moon and the stars, calm seasMorning report- Friday- 06:00-12:00Winds:14-16 knots - sailing 7-8 knotsSails: Genoa/Code 0- WoW 12:00 - Distance measured by SOW - 2761 NM (175 NM - day 16). read more...

Charm - Marquesas arrival

We are here!We’re not sure what time we got here - even the phones don’t agree on the time zone - but we know we arrived.Gorm from Nica brought us fresh baguettes this morning and we had dinner with them and with Ken from Resolute II at the air bnb of some visiting friends.Due to poor navigation skills on my part (night navigation on hilly islands is not my strong suit), we had to enlist the aid of some friendly locals who guided us to the doorstep of our intended destination.John and Sunil did hot, sweaty work cleaning the boat with us today and now we can enjoy the islands!Thanks to all for following this crossing.I will now switch back to posting on charmof5.com.image1 image2. read more...

Danica I - Log Day 15- Thursday, March 21, 2019 - Happy Spring

Log Day 15- Thursday, March 21, 2019 - Happy Spring Afternoon Report - Wednesday - 12:00- 18:00o Wind: 10 knots -6-7 knots of speedo Sails: Genoa poled on port and Code Zero on starboard o Sunny afternoon, calm seas, light windo Laundry day/ birds in the sky and a fish that got awayNight Watch - 18:00 - 06:00o Wind: 10-15 knots, sailing 6- 7 knotso Sails: Genoa and Code Zeroo 1.5m seas - beautiful moon and the stars, calm seasMorning report- Thursday- 06:00-12:00o Winds: 10-15 knots - sailing 6-8 knotso Sails: Genoa - Code Zero- WOW o The fishing lines are in the water- no mahi-mahi or tuna yeto 12:00 - Distance measured by SOW - 2586 NM (161 NM - day 15). read more...

Charm - Marquesas Day 15 part 2

When we had 100 miles to go, John asked for our predictions on when we would sight land.Joe said that at 0 miles, he was 100% sure we would see it.John was closest with his guess of 40 miles.At 42 to go, he saw land clearly on the horizon.We now have about 25 to go to cross the finish line.After crossing, we have a few more miles to go before reaching the anchorage.Nica just wrote and said there anchorage is very crowded with poor holding and they advise against entering at night.We will be arriving around 12 am Marquesas time so may have to kill time if we don’t feel like we can find a good spot tonight.We do have a full moon which may give us the light we need.It was worth being out here one more night for the spectacular sky show we had.You can see the gorgeous sunset that went on and. read more...

Charm - Marquesas Day 15 part 1

I’m not sure how many photos I can send at once so I’m doing this in two parts.This part is to show that Joe does actually sleep and that I actually do help with the boat side of things.This part is also a plug for our friend, business partner, and frequent Charm crew member, Tim Bruns.Joe is wearing a Wadi Climbing shirt that Tim gave him.Tim is the co-founder of Wadi Climbing, the first climbing gym in Palestine.He is currently in Ramallah, working on a guidebook for Palestinian climbing.I know they had planned to launch a crowdfunding campaign in mid-March.Go to wadiclimbing.com to find out more.Tim and Will (other founder) have done great things for the Palestinian people via the sport of climbing and Tim will put any donations to very good use.image1 image2. read more...

Endo 2 - noch 800 Seemeilen

French Polynesien ruft - noch ca. 800 Seemeilen bis zum Ziel. Und das erste Boot der Flotte ist schon da "Glückwunsch!! an die NICA" -- wir werden etwas länger brauchen. Aber was soll's auch wir werden ankommen.Uns geht es gut und inzwischen überwiegt der blaue Himmel und Sonnenschein. Es scheint auch wärmer geworden zu sein. Wir segeln gemächlich Richtung Ziel, leider rollt das Schiff hin und wieder recht ordentlich, denn der Wind und die Welle kommen von achtern.Allmählich fangen wir an Pläne zu schmieden - welche Inseln wir besuchen wollen. Doch letztlich hängt alles vom Ankunftsdatum ab, denn für den 3. April ist ein ARC Treffen auf Nuku Hiva vorgesehen; da müssen wir dabei sein.Kaputt ist inzwischen auch schon wieder etwas und zwar ein recht wichtiges Teil, das Seeventil unseres. read more...

Danica I - Log Day 14- Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - Sailing Code 0 through the calm night

Log Day 14- Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - Sailing Code 0 through the calm nightAfternoon Report - Tuesday - 12:00- 18:00o Wind: 10-12knots -5 knots of speedo Sails: Main-1R/Genoa - wing-on-wing - changed to Genoa and Code 0 at 17:00o Sunny afternoon, calm seas, light windNight Watch - 18:00 - 06:00o Sails: Genoa and Code 0-wing-on-windo Wind: 10-15 knots, sailing 6- 7 knotso 1.5m seas - beautiful moon and the stars, calm seasMorning report- Wednesday - 06:00-12:00o Winds: 10-14 knots - sailing 7-8 knotso Sails: Genoa - Code 0- wing-on-wing o Seas are rocky again with high waves from two directionso The fishing lines are in the water- no mahi-mahi or tuna yeto 12:00 - Distance measured by SOW - 2425 NM (158 NM - day 14). read more...

Timshel - Brazil to Grenada Day13

Another great moonlit sail overnight, one reef in the main for comfort.Now have 46 miles to go to the compulsory waypoint off Tobago and making 8 + knots SOG on a beam to broad reach - must be in favourable current again!It's also our fastest point of sail.After that it's another 80 or so miles, but we will expect to slow down considerably as we turn downwind after the waypoint to head for Grenada, nit sure what the current will do but we should get her sometime tomorrow.. read more...

Charm - Marquesas - Day 14

What a day!Highs and lows, ups and downs, births and deaths.Ok - the births didn’t actually happen today but it makes for a more dramatic opening.Let’s start with births.A couple of days ago, in what I’m guessing might be a first for a Pacific crossing, we hatched twin Hatchimals!!Yes, apparently these overpriced toys with minimal play value found their way on board.I’m sure they were stowaways because what parent in her right mind would buy such a thing?In any case, they emerged just in time to hatch.They are swaddled in blankets and have found a nesting spot in our room on the desk I just cleared of other unwanted items.Deaths?Well, we discovered another flying fish and I found the head of a very small crab on top of a toy box.So we’ll count those.But the real death was that of our. read more...

Tintin - Day 13

The last few days have given us blue skies with scattered fluffy cumulus clouds by day, and brilliant moonshine at night as the moon waxes towards full. The wind has been pretty steady in direction from the ESE, blowing mainly at 12-24 knots day and night, for the last 1500 miles. Amazing.Today we are trying a new sail format, trying to maximise our speed in relatively light downwind airs. The stingray is flying from the bow and we have the full mainsail up too. We had thought the main might blanket the stingray and make it collapse - but it isn't. Both sails are billowing and we are making 7 knots through the water with only 9 knots of apparent wind. The skipper is very happy. So are the crew. Go Tintin!This is day 13 of the crossing and it is becoming clear to us what really counts as. read more...

Danica I - Log- Day 13- Change of Sail Configuration

Log Day 13- Tuesday, March 19, 2019 - We changed our sail configuration to wing-on- wing- sailing straight to Hiva -OaAfternoon Report - Monday - 12:00- 18:00o Wind: 15-18 knots -7-8 knotso Sails: Main-1R/Genoa - wing-on-wingo Sunny afternoon - rocky 2.5m seasNight Watch - 18:00 - 06:00o Sails: Main-1R/Genoa-wing-on-windo Wind: 15 knots, sailing 7 knotso 3m seas - another rocky night sail under starry skyMorning report- Tuesday - 06:00-12:00o Winds: 12 knots - sailing 5.5 knotso Sails: Main R1/ Genoa - WoW- o Tried spinnaker but was not better sail- changed back to WoWo 12:00 - Distance measured by SOW - 2267 NM (160 NM - day 13). read more...

Timshel - Brazil to Grenada Day 12

It got quieter yesterday wind less and from further aft so slower progress, guess you can't expect to go on at 7+ knots SOG for ever. Beautiful moonlit night - almost full - wind picked up and course closer to wind due to westerly current, so great sailing overnight under all 3 white sails.Several boats have already arrived at Grenada, several more will get there by tonight, we have less than 300 nm to go.. read more...

Charm - Marquesas Day 13

Another beautiful day on the Pacific.Still sailing with the spinnaker up so the luck of the Irish (or maybe Scottish?) is holding.We made a strategic choice to try to hold to the rhumb line rather than going north to get a better wind angle as other boats have done.If we had any hope of catching Nica, that was our only option as we couldn’t beat them by following them.The race isn’t over yet but they are flying their horse spinnaker and have the ideal wind angle for their boat so it will be tough.Yesterday we thought we had gained significant ground on them but then we realized that the position reports we were getting were not updating Nica’s position.Suddenly, they moved 60 miles in three hours and we saw the problem.For some reason, their position wasn’t updating so it looked like we. read more...