Makena - Meet Kai

November 29, 2014
Onboard Makena, Lagoon 620 crossing the Atlantic

Position at noon: 417 miles to go
14° 37.2' N
53° 48.9' W

We made the entire 24 hours of this day, without a single sail change. Images that some future cruisers have of setting sails in the trades and going days on end without making adjustments, just don't fit reality. With squalls, wind shifts, best course to destination and oftentimes, changed destination due to weather conditions, lots of sail changes and adjustments occur. Throw in a few nearby boats and nearly any sailor will tell you that attention to sail trim seems to improve with the proximity of neighboring boats.

One of those rare days where our VMG was good enough with the simple sail plan of gennaker to starboard, genoa to port and no mainsail. VMG low sevens. The crew did not know what to do with themselves, so the suggestion was made to polish the stainless steel. All hands on deck. With the full crew banging it out in just over an hour, we decided that 1030 was close enough to noon to warrant breaking out a round of cold beer. Makena is looking pretty for her arrival in St. Lucia.

With a nice light, filtered through the sails, the crew assembled on the foredeck for some team photos. In a seaway, bouncing on the trampoline, we got some good laughs, as well as great photos. Moving to more stable ground we went for the close up of the group that we will all cherish.

The end is in sight and, talking with my Dad on the late night watch, under the last hour of the first quarter moon, we discussed the change in perception of the rally from several months ago as first preparations were being made to now that we have well over two thousand miles behind us. Analyzing the feelings, one might call it melancholy.

Crew of the day: Meet Kai
Kai Barthelet at 9 months is the youngest participant in the ARC this year. We have the distinction of having the youngest and the oldest crew on the same boat. Kai is a super baby. Having spent his whole life on the boat, he is gaining his sea legs as he begins the process of learning to take steps. It is incredible to watch as his core muscles react naturally to the motions of the sea and hold him steady as he sits, stands, crawls and adjusts his pose.

Puffy all around, the glow of good health oozes out of baby Kai. Up to seven teeth and getting his first solid food weeks before the beginning of the ARC, he now manages pieces of food, with avocado being his favorite. During his interview, when asked about his favorite meal, he responded “Mama.”

Those of you who have been on a bad flight with a screaming baby in the row behind you, might be wondering, “What was the crew thinking, being cooped up on a boat for several weeks with a new baby.” Unanimously, we are blown away that Kai never cries. Maybe he has let out a few 30 second sobs just before he falls in for one of his naps, the kid never cries. As a matter of fact, Kai is trying hard to talk, trying his range of sounds, paying close attention to the person that he is “talking” to. You can see the cogs turning as he determines the response from each sound he makes. By far, his most common vocalization is his laugh. He laughs and smiles at everything and everyone.

Kai is an important member of the team, spending time at the helm (he loves to stand on the wheel) eating with us at every lunch and dinner and there on the flybridge, harnessed or clinging tight to Mom or Dad for every sail change. He never complains about the heat, the cold, rain or rough seas. I'll take a flight or a sail with Kai anytime!