Skyelark 2 - Skyelark 2 - We begin

Given the dubious honor of beginning Skyelark’s ARC 21 blog, I probably
shouldn’t begin with the miserable AA flight from Boston’s Logan Airport via
Miami via Madrid to Las Palmas, so I’ll just leave it there as the point
from which everything quickly improved. At age 81, I knew this was likely
the last opportunity I’d have to experience this adventure, particularly
given a couple of not insignificant medical issues (not to mention Covid
risks) that threatened to interfere even to the week of departure. Boarding
that AA can of sardines was the first real assurance that I might actually
sail a 62’ boat across the Atlantic. No small threshhold for me. To my great
delight, joining me on this adventue was my 51-year-old son Oliver. (I’m
sure you’ll be reading his impressions as well as my own.)

Here are a few: the ARC marina a true forest of masts, the positive energy
of provisioning and readying for departure, the getting-acquainted team
dinners on shore, an evening of on-board folk-singing and camaderie with
some crew of the neighboring yacht, Skye 3. The more-than-several briefings
by Capt Dan Bower on the numerous safety requirements and procedures, some
under the heading of “doom and gloom” briefings, i.e. responses to lightning
strikes knocking out electronics, dismasting, collision damage, fire,
seacock failures, sinking (gulp!), illness and injury. The most serious
threats I believe mentioned had to do with human error, i.e. carelessness.
All this followed by on-board protocols to conserve water, compact
garbage, save energy. Then the predeparture training on deploying the
spinnaker pole/preventer without it sweeping you overboard or knocking you
on the head. So much to learn, so little time. But Dan was always cool,
clearly used to newbies, responding to endless questions with endless
patience.

I have to mention the thrill of actually casting off among the cacophony of
boat horns and heading out to the starting line and beyond, the crowd of
well-wishers along the breakwater. Finally, after nearly a year of
aniticpation ... out to sea! And, essentially, out of touch with the New
York Times, endless spam emails, the cares and demands of domestic life for
this extraordinary brief opportunity, a sail of a lifetime. Will it meet my
expectations? In some respects it already has, and it’s only Day Zero.

Log by Eric