Daily Logs

Dawn - June 22

We had an exhilarating sail to Portsmouth!  Once we were out of Annapolis area, we were moving!  Night sailing was gorgeous!  We were ready to leave on Tuesday, but due to bad weather, the recommendation from Andy and Mia was that the fleet should stay put. Initially, I wanted to leave anyway.  We all got up at 4 am, We had a team meeting and I reviewed the weather fax, Grib files, and given the knowledge and experience of Andy and Mia, and other factors such as crew fatigue, the only decision was to stay.  Then, at about 6:00 am, I got a text from the admiral back at home:  "If the admiral was with you, she would tell you to stay put."  We stayed.  So....we all got some hammock time, met some of our rally mates, relaxed.  It was a fun. read more...

Evening Star - Delmarva

What a great day! We left cape may and had the best day of sailing thanks to a local thunderstorm. Then.we saw some dolphins! We are on our third overnight trip to home. What a fantastic experience!Sent from AOL Mobile Mailimage image image. read more...

Halcyon Days - Where was the wind?

We had a smooth voyage from Portsmouth to Cape May - departing at 0600 Wednesday and arriving in Cape May at 0800 on Thursday.There was a gently rolling sea on our starboard stern quarter and light westerly winds the entire trip...just not enough wind to sail once we turned the corner to head north, so we motored all but a few hours.Now we are tucked into Cape May for the day - some sightseeing for the crew that hasn't visited yet, relaxing for some...some sleep for all....then ready for the home stretch tomorrow/Saturday.The crew, Peter, Gary and Jim S, are all very experienced blue water sailors.Gary has done the DelMarVa twice before with other groups - and in both directions!He regularly sails with his NJ sailing club.Peter has a large number of passages to all sorts of destinations. read more...

Paw Paw - Log Day 166: Twin Boys

This morning we said our goodbyes to Do Over who are heading west to Palmerton, Cook Islands and then on to Nuie before heading to American Somoa, where we hope to catch up with them again. E wish them fair winds and following seas. After helping Do Over with their docklines at the fuel dock, Roy returned home with some freshly baked goodies for breakfast. Then, under sunny skies, it was time to go exploring again.This time we dinghied to the south west corner of the island and, after beaching the dinghy, enjoyed a lovely walk on the Mitara beach. Next stop, the Coral Gardens, where we snorkeled in water that was so clear,it was like being in a swimming pool. There wasn't an ounce of sediment in the water and the colours were just amazing.This evening we enjoyed Happy Hour ashore with. read more...

Evening Star - Delmarva

Offshore leg was fantastic. Amazing sunset complete with rainbow! Super job of navigating by Charlie, missed both storms and had a wonderful ride. Rick will give a presentation at the last party on Saturday. Arc world cruising expects to post an article about the trip and dsc will be featured. All around a great trip!Sent from my iPhone. read more...

Paw Paw - Log Day 165: The Beauty of Bora Bora

We eventually had a break in the weather today and woke to glorious sunshine. It was so nice just to be able to enjoy breakfast outside in the cockpit again. So, after a breakfast of a selection of fresh fruit, fresh fruit juice, granola and homemade yogurt and a cup of tea, it was time to get the snorkeling gear together and head out in the dinghy for a little exploring.Under sunny, blue skies we discovered the beauty of Bora Bora as we dinghied around the island of Toopua. To our delight we got to snorkel with the hugest Manta Rays we have every seen.One of the guides told us that they were at least three metres wide from tip to tip and they had just returned to the lagoon after being away for a number of weeks due to all the bad weather. We also got to swim with and pet Sting Rays. read more...

Sablier - Ocean bound

Yesterday's Skipper meeting gave the weather a-okay for us to depart this morning for leg 2 of the trip. So, last night we tried on our safety equipment and practiced lashing to the jack lines that are now running along both sides of the boat's deck. Jacklines allow you use a tether to connect to boat should one need to be out on deck in unstable seas. This is a pic of Nick, with all his gear on. Can you tell what is wrong with picture? Hint: Nick is standing in the cockpit behind the binnacle.     20160618_181956.jpg We rose early and left Ocean Yatch Marina at 5:30 am. It was pretty to watch sunrise and the cities that flank the Elizabeth River start to wake-up. Initially, winds are light and from our stern. As the day went on and our route changed, we were able to set sail.. read more...

Evening Star - Delmarva

We're on the ocean!!fair winds and following seas! Life couldn't be better!!!image. read more...

Paw Paw - Log Day 164: Fairylights to Add a Little Magic

Yesterday evening we enjoyed sundowners on the trampoline, having not seen a sunset for quite some time and were rewarded with the most vivid "green flash", the likes of which we haven't seen before.Unfortunately a starry night was not forthcoming as the skies clouded over and the rain set in,continuing through today. After Roy helped Neil go up the mast on YouNevaKnow early this morning, we decided that, regardless of the overcast and rainy day, we would walk into the main town, Vaitape and we weren't disappointed.We stopped en route to enjoy freshly, made to order, Churros, French style, which were delicious.After a walk around town we stopped at a coffee shop to enjoy a cappuccino and Facetime Brooke and William, which definitely added a huge dollop of sunshine to our day.Tonight Roy. read more...

Alcedo of Ryme - Blog 57, Bay of Islands. 18.10.624S 179.01.093W

Thursday, 18 June.09.00hrs, Sophia had left and we up anchored to tackle the route through the reefs NW of Bavatu Bay.We had Anthony on the bow and the Ship's Boy mid station to relay, while Skipper had his finger on the iPad, the cockpit Garmin chart display still being a non runner, with another display showing Peregrine's route on the computer and with the Skipper's wife keeping the boat on as straight a course as possible.As we approached the Bay of Island anchorage, we all agreed we should do the right thing and follow Sophia to Daliconi to report to head of the village who owned the area.This meant a 6 mile motor South and then back again, but it was worth it for the scenery and the ceremony.We were met on the beach by a charming man who put on a Fijian skirt in honour of the. read more...

Halcyon Days - Delayed a Day

Weather forecasts kept us in Portsmouth an extra night, but we have a 36 hour window for a 32 hour sail and will leave the slip at 0600 today, bound for the Atlantic to make our way up to Cape May, along with 22 other boats in the Rally.  The crew is doing well...three blue-water experienced sailors and an bay-sailing skipper looking to get blue water legs, are now a working team, despite never meeting each other before - helped by good food (provisioned by Marcia) and a good boat. More about the team later.  Jim. read more...

Alcedo of Ryme - Blog 56. Bavatu Harbour. 17.11.03S 179.00.08W

Wednesday, 15 June.After spending some time in Lomaloma trying to get some accurate way points for the next part of our trip round the Exploring Islands and with many thanks to Marie on Domini for her tracks and way points and Ann on Sophia for her help, we left Lomaloma for Bavatu Harbour on the NE side of Vanua Baluvu.There are many reefs to be avoided and most of the navigational marks have been destroyed or reduced to small sticks by the cyclone, so we were very grateful for all the help we have been given by the Sea Mercy yachts and for Anthony doing bow duty as reef spotter. Bavatu Harbour is absolutely lovely, deep but well sheltered and very beautiful in spite of all the cyclone damage., with plenty of space for Wishanger, Paradise Found and Sophia, who came to Alcedo for. read more...

Aliena - Miercoles 22 Junio 2016

En la circunnavegación los satelites te recuerdan donde estas. En este viaje hemos visto como nuestro navegador mostraba latitud cero -Ecuador-, cambiaba de día y hora, de camino a la Isla Gau cambió de longitud Oeste a Este.... Como navegando no se aprecian estas cosas es dificil tomar consciencia de la situación espacio-tiempo. Lo que si hemos notado es la entrada del invierno y, a pesar del trópico, vamos con chaquetita. Ahora recorremos el Norte de Viti Levu, dirección al Oeste por dentro del arrecife que la rodea y como está tan lejos de la Isla entre medias los corales campan a sus anchas y los sorteamos haciendo eses, entre rachas de viento de 29 nudos, para no chocar con un enemigo que fuera del mar es invisible. Parecer que Aliena estuviera escribiendo sobre el mar su propia. read more...

Halcyon Days - One leg under our belts...

After a slow start at 10:00, with light winds and some sail changes, Halcyon Days and her crew motored for several hours through the evening, then sailed like a dream through the night when the westerly winds picked up.With the only sounds the winds and the hull pushing through the water, we had a fast and relaxing, first-ever, night sail to Portsmouth, arriving at 10:00 the following morning.image1.. read more...

Aliena - Martes 21 Junio 2016

Ayer dejamos la simpática Levuka y fuimos hasta la Isla Makagai con un viento de 24 nudos que con dos rizos nos hizo llegar en un santiamén a pesar de ir sorteando arrecifes. No fuimos a tierra porque el huracan ha dejado poco en pie, pero la bahia que hace la isla unida a un islote por un arrecife debe ser bonita con sol. Ahora estamos en el Norte de Viti Levu, una de las islas grandes, por dentro del arrecife. Hemos fondeado en Voli Voli Point. Igual hay algun habitante.Carmen. read more...

Sablier - Day 3

Unfortunately, the weather is not in our favor. There is a cold front coming and that means storms. So we will lay over at Ocean Yacht Marina tonight,  Right now, we anticipate leaving Portsmouth Wednesday morning around 3 am.  As always, things can change. So we are prepping for the possibility of  rough seas.  What does "prep" mean? Pre-plotting course options, prepping food, cleaning up the boat, napping . . . .Grant the navigator 20160621_124749. read more...

Sablier - Leg 1 completed!

We began our journey to sail around the Delmarva Peninsula months ago. But the final day was upon us. Grant Woodside (skipper), Diane (DePew) Woodside, Susan Whalen, and Nick Steinbrecher had done a shake out cruise 3 weeks earlier. We identified what was needed (Coast Guard approved live jackets)  and optional luxuries (cup holders!). We had done everything we could think of (bounded only by time and money) to prepare the boat and ourselves. Good thing we each prepped out nails to show team spirit! (See pic). The last few items were brought aboard the boat on the eve of departure and we hoped to have a good night sleep.​On Sunday, June 19, Grant, Diane, Susan and Nick left Glebe Bay aboard the s/v Sablier at 8:57 am to start the first leg of the trip. The goal was to leave at 9 am. read more...

Evening Star - Delmarva trip

We arrived in Portsmouth in middle of pack! Unfortunately the forecast for today is for major storms so we are delayed. The plan is to leave as soon as storms are over and get to cape may before the next serious storms hit. We will need to leave around 3 am image2 image3 image1. read more...

Paw Paw - Log Day 163: "Pearl of the Pacific"

Bora Bora,known as the " Pearl of the Pacific ".For us though, our first night here was anything but pearls. We had the worst storm that either of us has ever encountered.Worse than any storm in South Africa that we can remember. Worse than any monsoon storm in Phoenix.Worse than tropical storm, Raphael, that we experienced while in St Martin. Worse than the one we just endured in Huahine.Besides the howling wind,the thunder and lightening could have woken the dead. The torrential rain was so bad we couldn't even see the yachts on the mooring balls next to us and, at times, we couldn't even see beyond the perimeters of Paw Paw's hulls. What made it the worst is that all of this lasted the entire night. It was never-ending! With all our onboard systems shutdown and our battery bank. read more...