Seeing the ice in clear skies was a hell of a reward for the heavy weather yesterday. Thus far we’ve stopped to admire two big bergs from close range, bringing in ICEBEAR under power (the wind, after all that fuss, shut down completely around 1200 noon as we rounded Cape Race) to within a hundred yards or so. I put the drone up to get a bird’s eye view, and the crew stopped to admire the beauty of nature’s most striking sculpture. Both bergs we stopped for had at some point in their decay rolled, for the tops of them were pure white and smooth as marble, highlighted in spots by deep turquoise cracks where they’d broken apart and re-frozen during their lifespan.
This has been all over my Facebook page the past couple of days, thanks to Kevin King, who crewed with us and took the footage. When the whale first approached, we were in awe, and just enjoyed his company. Kevin wanted to film right away, but I kind of discouraged him - if you're always behind the camera, you can't appreciate what's right in front of you. But the whale kept coming back! I was afraid jamming the camera down in the water might scare him off (he thinking it might be a harpoon!), but eventually we gave it a go. I think it was worth it!
This was written yesterday, posted today (Monday). Photos below.
We arrived into St. Croix yesterday afternoon after what I think was probably the easiest passage I’ve ever done. We sailed on starboard tack the whole way, broad reaching in anywhere from 8-25 knots, and only motoring for one hour, through a pretty calm spot when the sails were banging around and we had to roll up the jib.
I will have WAY more to say about this in due time, but wanted to post it immediately. Thanks to Dave for sharing - you know who you are. Might we have finally reached a tipping point when it comes to taking offshore sailing seriously, instead of a ride to warmer weather?
I just had an interesting email exchange with a friend whose in the (years-long) process of outfitting his boat for extended ocean cruising. The boat is similar to Arcturus, and we have similar ideas about things, and somehow got in touch a few years back. Anyway, we've had several of these types of exchanges. I won't say who it is out of respect for his privacy, but I want to publish my response to his latest email about rigging, sails and engines. I'll preface each section with what I'm about to discuss, but won't include anything specific that he's emailed me. What's your take?
It's over a month now since we first removed the winter cover on Arcturus and began the enormous task of replacing her engine. As of yesterday, she's back in the water and the engine is running. (As per usual, for those who just want to look at photos, scroll down to the bottom - there is a large selection of them this time).
Warning: this is a long article! I had ample time to write it - my train journey yesterday was six-and-a-half hours, and ample subject matter, given the enormity of the work we've been doing on the boat. For those who just want to look at photos (with captions), scroll all the way to the bottom for the photo gallery. For the rest of you, read on.
The engine project on Arcturus is officially under way! Photo shows a Beta Marine similar to what we're installing - namely that it's going to be 'Kubota Blue' rather than red - but this one is obviously way bigger than the little 16 we're getting. Here's the story of the start (and my last long run before the Vansbro Marathon next Friday!)
Long post this time! Catching up to the present after a ridiculously busy spring which included refitting my dad's boat Sojourner , taking my best friend sailing so he could get engaged, racing up to Newport (and taking 4th!), shaking down Sojourner on the DelMarVa Rally, and training for a marathon! Oh, and flying to Sweden, where I'm writing this. Good times! Photo shows a nice stormy day in Annapolis just before the Newport Race. It was the first sign of Tropical Storm 'Andrea' that the race actually started during.
Mia and I found out about this last week, but it's only now been made public, to much excitement from us! Though we won't be directly involved in running it, we're surely going to promote it! We'll be sailing the same waters this summer in Arcturus , so we'll be posting our own experiences there....
I was cleaning out my desk just now and came across a list that I had brainstormed during a particularly frustrating moment on a recent yacht delivery. Incidentally, this is one of many, many lists that I create during offshore passages - I cannot NOT think about stuff when out on the high seas. Some of the other topics I'll share in due course include: Business Ideas, Top Five Offshore Tricks, and Refit Ideas for Arcturus. Without further ado, things that annoy me...
Mia, my Dad and I came back to Pennsylvania from Annapolis last evening. We've been refitting my dad's Wauquiez Hood 38 Sojourner in anticipation of him sailing in the Caribbean 1500 next fall (which is another story). When we got home I took the dogs out for a short run around the block. The Vansbro Marathon in Sweden is quickly creeping up on us, so we've really ramped up our training. The race is July 4, and its off road through the forest, so we're both expecting a slow course with lots of hills.
Yesterday my marina neighbor John was watching me climb around in the cockpit locker of my boat, tangled in battery cables and covered in engine grease. It was the 18th day in a row that I’ve put over ten solid hours of work into the boat. He asked me where I got my motivation; it was an easy answer – in two months, I’ll be sailing towards Sweden, and the boat just has to be ready.
No rest for the weary. I went to bed last night at 7pm, knowing full well that we’d be up again at 2 the next morning to cover the early morning shift. That’s how it goes when we have boats coming in one after another and have to be there on the dock to greet that. No matter how tired you are though, it’s pretty invigorating greeting crews on the dock who have just completed an ocean passage.
Note: I wrote this about a week ago in Tortola. I’m back in my element now. After four long days being social and cheerful, I find myself a bit exhausted. Mia doesn’t understand this. Introverts (and I classify myself as one), find it physically tiring to be in social situations. Some more than others, of course (so I’ve read). I’m there now. Don’t get me wrong, I love these events, wouldn’t be doing anything different. But being introverted, it takes a real effort to be social, and all of the time. It wipes me out.
Hi guys! Check out the flyer pictured for details on Matt Rutherford's Ocean Research Project party, set for April 27 at J/World Annapolis from 6pm. Schell's is sponsoring the food, and we'll have free beer! Come hang out with Matt and the ORP team, hear about the new 42' steel research vessel Ault, and listen to Matt's ideas for the next expedition, set to head into the Atlantic Garbage Patch in early May. Contact matt@oceanresearchproject.org for details on the event. Thanks to J/World Annapolis, Spinsheet and Schell's for the support!
Magnus Olsson passed away yesterday. The legendary Swedish sailor was beloved by the sailing community the world over. Like many others I'm sure, he was one of my heroes. As a sailor for sure, but also just as a person. What follows are some of my experiences with him since we met in 2011 at the ARC, my simple way of remembering someone who is impossible to forget.
