Sun May 11 1025 2520N 6516W Wind +/-20kts ENE Seas 6 feet Sunny Sailing at 7kts under full jib staysail and single reef main COG 006T
We expect stuff to happen out here and so:
Our wind speed of +/-20kts is only an educated estimate because our little wind sensor - anemometer - at the top of the mast has gone on strike. Can't blame her really: she has been bounced around up there for almost three days: and something tells me (geometry, perhaps?) that a lurch of say a foot in the cabin is ten feet up there. And these lurches are refusing to go on strike.
We have been blown a bit to the left so we are missing Bermuda by about 40nm. We might still find it: if the wind shifts as forecast, clocking from E to SE to S and dropping down to 5 to 10kts; if the satellites stay up and working so our GPS units will tell us where we are (no Dad, we do not carry a sextant); and if we don't decide to go straight to the Azores. We will let you know.
All is well otherwise. We won't have a better three days' sailing than these last three - though it would be more comfortable if we were downwind and down wave.
ETA Bermuda Tuesday afternoon/eve and then will be quite Dark and fairly Stormy conditions aboard Adventuress.
John and Nancy, with Dave and Bob
Postscript: Same Day late afternoon: wind is clocking just right, and dropping: so we have almost all sail up and making a beeline for St George's at 7.5kts as the seas are calming. Dinner tonight will be Salmon with Shrimp in an Alfredo Vodka sauce - the Vodka will be fresh, but not the fish: we have been sailing too fast to catch fish!
In 2014 Adventuress sailed to Europe. She made landfall in Muxia Spain; then England. After cruising the English South Coast, and the Channel Islands, she wintered at Woodbridge, England. The next three summers we cruised England, Holland, Norway, Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal, and Gibraltar. For the foreseeable future Adventuress will sail in Europe. UPDATE: it's October 2021 and we are sailing her back to the USA: Transat passage will be Nov/Dec: expect to be in Florida end of January.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Crew Perspective
Nancy's at the helm and John is busy reading "The Boys in the Boat" on my Kindle, so I thought I would add a little crew color (colour)commentary for the blog. It is so great to be sailing with them aboard Adventuress again, and Bob is a fantastic crewmate and he completes what very well may be the perfect voyage. Other than running the engine to charge the batteries, we have been sailing between 7 and 8+ knots since we left the islands. I had heard so many stories of motoring north to Bermuda that this has been a dream passage thus far. This will be my first time ever to Bermuda and I do have some trepidation that John may have one of his prank's in store for me in way of initiation. If the rest of the voyage continues as it has started it will be a memory that I will long cherish. Thank you both for allowing me to share this with you. -- Dave
'THE VOYAGE' has commenced in memorable fashion even though we have not quite mastered the Masters techniques. The good ship Adventuress is a marvelous vessel and is delivering us quickly to our initial destination of Bermuda. I am enjoying the crew mates and their individual senses of humour. Laughter is always present and makes it so very enjoyable to be aboard. I am learning much from Dave who has great technical knowledge and trying still to keep up with John. Nancy graciously shares her knowledge and keeps us very organized. I can't wait to see Bermuda again and looking forward to the next leg of our journey and exploring the Azores with my good friends, Admiral Nancy, Captain John and 1st Mate Dave. --Bob
(Editor's note: see what the threat of starvation does for the crew's writings?)
'THE VOYAGE' has commenced in memorable fashion even though we have not quite mastered the Masters techniques. The good ship Adventuress is a marvelous vessel and is delivering us quickly to our initial destination of Bermuda. I am enjoying the crew mates and their individual senses of humour. Laughter is always present and makes it so very enjoyable to be aboard. I am learning much from Dave who has great technical knowledge and trying still to keep up with John. Nancy graciously shares her knowledge and keeps us very organized. I can't wait to see Bermuda again and looking forward to the next leg of our journey and exploring the Azores with my good friends, Admiral Nancy, Captain John and 1st Mate Dave. --Bob
(Editor's note: see what the threat of starvation does for the crew's writings?)
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Update from a Speck on the Ocean
950am Sat May 10 2336N 6556W wind 22kts NE Sunny Still under triple reef Jib Staysail Triple reef Main 7.1ktsCOG 356T
Breakfast is a bit more challenging: making coffee is hazardous; pouring cereal into a bowl not quite so simple as it sounds. The boat is leaning at an angle between 12 to 15 degrees, and it jogs you also fore and aft. It is not yet like the proverbial 'washing machine' but it is still a challenge to get from A to B and do anything that needs two hands.
At this point, two days in, we are all adept at keeping watch and handling the sails; and the only breakage so far on the boat was a minor irritation: a wimpy plastic hinge on a toilet seat broke apart (culprit unnamed!) which was promptly switched out with the forward head (which we do not use offshore because up in the bow it is more like a crazy fun-fair ride than a bathroom). But one does have to ask: why on a toilet seat sold for a boat would they put rinky dinky hinges designed for Minnie Mouse? (Hayden, please feel free to forward to Island Packet and to Raritan!)
Progress is excellent: we have been blown West of the rhumb line but only by about 24nm; so considering that we have in 47 hours now covered 330nm that is hardly far off the line. We all had showers last evening, and regular readers know how superb such a simple pleasure becomes on a salty boat offshore. Adventuress has also taken several dousings of rain but apparently does not share our joy because she promptly showers herself all over with scores of gallons of seawater.
John and Nancy, with Bob and Dave
Breakfast is a bit more challenging: making coffee is hazardous; pouring cereal into a bowl not quite so simple as it sounds. The boat is leaning at an angle between 12 to 15 degrees, and it jogs you also fore and aft. It is not yet like the proverbial 'washing machine' but it is still a challenge to get from A to B and do anything that needs two hands.
At this point, two days in, we are all adept at keeping watch and handling the sails; and the only breakage so far on the boat was a minor irritation: a wimpy plastic hinge on a toilet seat broke apart (culprit unnamed!) which was promptly switched out with the forward head (which we do not use offshore because up in the bow it is more like a crazy fun-fair ride than a bathroom). But one does have to ask: why on a toilet seat sold for a boat would they put rinky dinky hinges designed for Minnie Mouse? (Hayden, please feel free to forward to Island Packet and to Raritan!)
Progress is excellent: we have been blown West of the rhumb line but only by about 24nm; so considering that we have in 47 hours now covered 330nm that is hardly far off the line. We all had showers last evening, and regular readers know how superb such a simple pleasure becomes on a salty boat offshore. Adventuress has also taken several dousings of rain but apparently does not share our joy because she promptly showers herself all over with scores of gallons of seawater.
John and Nancy, with Bob and Dave
Friday, May 9, 2014
Freight Train to Bermuda
0920 Fri May 9 2054N 6531W wind NE 24kts Seas 8ft Sunny. Sailing under triple reef jib, staysail, triple reef main at 7+kts
When sailing North from the Virgins it seems that the wind is often stronger and more Northerly than forecast. Yesterday we stowed the dinghy on deck, checked off the last few things on the Offshore Prep List, and left the breathtaking beauty of Culebrita at 11.05. We are having a fine romp with good speed from heavily reefed sails, and are just a few miles west of the straight rhumb line to St George's cut. It is quite a ride especially at night with the waves splashing over the bow and the loud swish of the stern wave as it fills in our wake. Nancy says it is like riding a freight train; which makes one wonder when and for how long was she a Hobo?
So we are finding our sea legs quickly. We did get some sleep after our traditional first night Coq au Vin for dinner: tasted pretty good even though we had with it only water to drink.
We should be in Bermuda late Tuesday; although one never knows...This first day we will cover 175nm and that is an average of 7.3kts - pretty good going for our little ship. We are all well and Adventuress is loving her new autopilot.
John and Nancy, with Dave and Bob
When sailing North from the Virgins it seems that the wind is often stronger and more Northerly than forecast. Yesterday we stowed the dinghy on deck, checked off the last few things on the Offshore Prep List, and left the breathtaking beauty of Culebrita at 11.05. We are having a fine romp with good speed from heavily reefed sails, and are just a few miles west of the straight rhumb line to St George's cut. It is quite a ride especially at night with the waves splashing over the bow and the loud swish of the stern wave as it fills in our wake. Nancy says it is like riding a freight train; which makes one wonder when and for how long was she a Hobo?
So we are finding our sea legs quickly. We did get some sleep after our traditional first night Coq au Vin for dinner: tasted pretty good even though we had with it only water to drink.
We should be in Bermuda late Tuesday; although one never knows...This first day we will cover 175nm and that is an average of 7.3kts - pretty good going for our little ship. We are all well and Adventuress is loving her new autopilot.
John and Nancy, with Dave and Bob
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
The Beauty of a Flexible Timetable
Culebrita, Spanish Virgin Islands 21.50 May 7. At anchor
The list for offshore prep is almost complete (we have only to drop the dinghy from the davits, and store it and the motor on deck) and we have a favorable wx forecast for the next five to six days, boding a fine sail to Bermuda. So we may leave tomorrow morning. But then again, we may not, because we are happily not on a timetable dictated by the calendar; but rather, we will leave when we are ready and when we are rested. In fact, we may not leave tomorrow simply because the snorkelling in Louis Pena is superb: so we may just travel 5 nm to Louis Pena and explore the reefs.
Dinner tonight was lobster tails, steamed and then finished in hot butter and garlic: boy were they good, and thank you, Donna for bringing us that lovely treat!
We will now be out of range of telephone and internet, but will post here to the blog most days on our trip. We have a very strong crew, and a carefully prepared yacht, and yet: we still expect the unexpected. We do not expect, however, to meet any challenge that we cannot overcome with our combination of experience, preparation and ingenuity.
Best warm wished to all our readers, and especially to John and Bev Parker: as you follow our adventure, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Nancy, with Bob Nelson and Dave Hornbach
The list for offshore prep is almost complete (we have only to drop the dinghy from the davits, and store it and the motor on deck) and we have a favorable wx forecast for the next five to six days, boding a fine sail to Bermuda. So we may leave tomorrow morning. But then again, we may not, because we are happily not on a timetable dictated by the calendar; but rather, we will leave when we are ready and when we are rested. In fact, we may not leave tomorrow simply because the snorkelling in Louis Pena is superb: so we may just travel 5 nm to Louis Pena and explore the reefs.
Dinner tonight was lobster tails, steamed and then finished in hot butter and garlic: boy were they good, and thank you, Donna for bringing us that lovely treat!
We will now be out of range of telephone and internet, but will post here to the blog most days on our trip. We have a very strong crew, and a carefully prepared yacht, and yet: we still expect the unexpected. We do not expect, however, to meet any challenge that we cannot overcome with our combination of experience, preparation and ingenuity.
Best warm wished to all our readers, and especially to John and Bev Parker: as you follow our adventure, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Nancy, with Bob Nelson and Dave Hornbach
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
A Little Test from our SSB Radio
18.19N 64.52W Berthed at Oasis Cove Marina, St Thomas: Monday, May 5, 2014
Before a passage we test out a lot of stuff to ensure it is working at least when we start: after that, it may stop working - the ocean is not friendly to electronics on a yacht. (As long as the crew keeps working, then the skipper should be thankful!) So Hayden just reminded me to test our track for posting to this blog from our long-range SSB radio. Good idea, Hayden!
Unlike the mega motor yachts heading over to Europe at this time of year, our rhumb line to Falmouth 3,413 nautical miles away will not be the route we will take: instead we will sail 840nm due North to Bermuda; this sail is typically in a pretty straight line as we will have beam trade winds from the East to start, and then probably little wind as we get into the Bermuda High area also called 'The Doldrums'. From Bermuda, it will depend on the weather, but we will almost certainly not sail the straight line to the Azores, but will first head NNE for a few hundred miles, until we get about level with the Delaware, before turning starboard and due East: this leg will be about 1900nm. Our final leg to Falmouth will be about 1250nm, again not in a straight line. So we expect to log about 4,000nm in total.
Our little ship is up to her ears in food! We have provisioned all the way to the Azores, as food supplies can be spotty in Bermuda. To give you an idea: we have 24 frozen dinners in the reefer; and lots of starch, breakfast cereal and snacks. We have 24 litre boxes of long life milk, and will load up more potatoes and apples this week before we leave.
We carry 250 gallons of fresh water; it is, regrettably, all in just one tank. So in case we were to spring a leak in that tank and lose it, we carry 25 gallons of water in one gallon jugs, stashed in the hold.
We expect to leave here on Thursday am, as it looks like we will then have at least a couple of days of trade winds.
John and Nancy, with Dave; waiting for Bob's arrival this Monday eve.
Before a passage we test out a lot of stuff to ensure it is working at least when we start: after that, it may stop working - the ocean is not friendly to electronics on a yacht. (As long as the crew keeps working, then the skipper should be thankful!) So Hayden just reminded me to test our track for posting to this blog from our long-range SSB radio. Good idea, Hayden!
Unlike the mega motor yachts heading over to Europe at this time of year, our rhumb line to Falmouth 3,413 nautical miles away will not be the route we will take: instead we will sail 840nm due North to Bermuda; this sail is typically in a pretty straight line as we will have beam trade winds from the East to start, and then probably little wind as we get into the Bermuda High area also called 'The Doldrums'. From Bermuda, it will depend on the weather, but we will almost certainly not sail the straight line to the Azores, but will first head NNE for a few hundred miles, until we get about level with the Delaware, before turning starboard and due East: this leg will be about 1900nm. Our final leg to Falmouth will be about 1250nm, again not in a straight line. So we expect to log about 4,000nm in total.
Our little ship is up to her ears in food! We have provisioned all the way to the Azores, as food supplies can be spotty in Bermuda. To give you an idea: we have 24 frozen dinners in the reefer; and lots of starch, breakfast cereal and snacks. We have 24 litre boxes of long life milk, and will load up more potatoes and apples this week before we leave.
We carry 250 gallons of fresh water; it is, regrettably, all in just one tank. So in case we were to spring a leak in that tank and lose it, we carry 25 gallons of water in one gallon jugs, stashed in the hold.
We expect to leave here on Thursday am, as it looks like we will then have at least a couple of days of trade winds.
John and Nancy, with Dave; waiting for Bob's arrival this Monday eve.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Getting Ready for Transatlantic
We are back
at St Thomas after spending three weeks in Lancaster visiting family and
friends and saying our goodbyes before we depart on our voyage to England. It was great fun being home to watch the
trees bud and spend a special Easter at my sister and brother-in-law’s
home.
Adventuress
was happy in her slip at Oasis Cove Marina here in St Thomas, a beautiful new
marina owned by Jonathan and Paul Sabers.
Here’s a picture of Adventuress secure in her slip:
And a picture of Jonathan, a great guy, who has become a friend of ours. Thanks Jon, for accommodating us and providing such a beautiful and safe environment to keep our boat.
While we
were home we shipped many items to our good friend, Donna Liska. Here she is after delivering 7 boxes to our
marina. And thank you dear Donna for being
such a great friend and helping us while we were in St Thomas!
Dave
Hornbach came early to help us with a few projects. Here’s John and Dave working on installing a new
replacement ram drive for the autopilot. 
We replaced the brushes on the old one in
December, and the autopilot worked perfectly all winter. But right before we
returned to Lancaster, we had a “blip” so we decided to purchase a new
hydraulic ram. Thanks Dave for your
capable help. If he wasn’t here I would
be in the hole!
Bob Nelson,
our second crew man, arrives in two days, on Monday! Then the real excitement begins! We will prepare the boat for sailing offshore
on our next adventure……the voyage to England via Bermuda and the Azores!
Our very
best,
Nancy, John
and Dave
May 3, 2014,
Oasis Cove Marina
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