IS THIS THE FUTURE ???????
DATE /TIME : 9.12.2012 , 23:50 UTC
MOOD : RELIEVED
Probably 15, may be 16 days.
But that is besides the point.
The point is first and foremost the weather :
"""""""
Date: 9 December 2012 23:58:25 WET
To: @WorldCruisingEvents.
Subject : Things to come ?
We have been now at sea for almost 2 weeks. ANd the weather is still freaky, to say the least. Since our departure we had not more than one day a wind that was less than BF 7, in fact we probably had more BF 8 than BF 6.
Unfortunately we couldn'tt take advantage of this due to our slightly damaged genoa and the vanished genoa pole. Nevertheless, no complaints here about the spped of the crossing. But the fact remains:
This ARC 2012 will probably go down in history as one with the freakiest weather ever.
I am convinced.
Not only did we have a delay with the start of 2 days, but the conditions during the trip were and still are so different than to any other year that it will have an impact on future crossings.
I mean believe in climate change or not, but we sailors realise a change in velocity and unpredictability of the wind, no doubt about it. We are now around 16 degrees North, meaning in Caribbean territory, and the sky is covered, at
night we wear foul weather gear, no or little exposed sunshine during the day, and little sky watching due to clouds during the night.
Instead, it should be worm, if not hot, may be humid, yes, may be some thunderstorms and rain showers, but generally warmer and less windy. So I wonder about all the stories to come up after arrival.
How have the smaller boats been doing in these conditions, the families with young children , etc.
Many questions remain, whatever the outcome.
SY Champagne
"""""""
I woke up int he middle of the night and smelt "burnt rubber" .
So for the very first time in my sailing life I called the crew into the cockpit with their life-jackets on.
We investigated for 2 hours and finally think we know what it is.
Some problems with the rudder, where metal goes on metal, becomes hot, and starts smelling.
That of course does not explain yet the reason.
But most likely the bearings have worn out, and the rudder shaft has started moving.
Not good !
But to S Lucia we will make it, we believe.
Some more reports from ARC Control :
"""""""
On Wednesday/Thursday night yacht Stormvogel sustained serious =
damage in a squall with more than 40 knots of wind. The situation onboard i=
s stable and safe. Two of the three crew members hurt their legs in small a=
ccidents from boat movement.
The boat damages are:
1) compass in cockpit broken
2) gas throttle in cockpit broken
3) electric self steering system broken (as control unit is broken)
4) lost position lights on mast
5) rope in engines propellor - (unsure if engine is damaged or not)
6) VHF maybe out of function (as no other boat answers their calls)
In addition they have had a salt water leak below the water line close to t=
he centre board section for several days. The leak is small (1-2 litres pe=
r day) and is controlled by pumping out. They are running now by foresail a=
nd navigate by GPS/chart plotter in deckshouse; steering by Hydrovane wind =
vane steering
On Friday 14 December Peter and his crew entered the water to attempt to cl=
ear the propellor, with no luck due to large swells. They are currently in =
an area of light winds, waiting for them to fill in so they can sail the r=
emainder of the course to St Lucia. Whilst they are in no danger, sitting i=
n an area of no winds will mean low speeds of advance and a later arrival i=
nto St Lucia. Any yachts in the vicinity (at 15Dec2012 0000 14 35.5N 53 10W=
) that are able to help should establish contact with the yacht direct
or via ARC Rally Control.
"""""""
Well, who said it was easy .
This is the future of Atlantic Sailing , I guess.
Master MIke