Author: Bernd via DL9BS/mm Page 4 of 15

On April 15, 2023

In Bermuda, Saint Martin

As ususal, at the beginning of a passage, I am late and lazy with my logblogs. First I though to skip them at all but here is briefly what happened:

We were sailing as per the schedule to St. Martin for final grocery shopping and refilling our gas bottles with butane. These were the last too items on the list before our vacuum cleaner went on strike. In parallel I realized that the weather window was already open for our passage to Bermuda and departure the sooner the better became our line of thinking. After all items ashore were completed (except the gas bottles), the lady got prepared (including testing the new vaccum cleaner) and we lifted the anchor after a final swim in the gorgeous waters of Marigot Bay. The intention was to leave the shores during daylight not to get in any argument with the fishing buoys spreading around in shallow waters.

We are now 42h or 263nm away from St. Martin. Good winds in conjunction with perfect trimming, thanks to Rainer, have made this possible.

It became a pleasant night and after sunrise a sugar sailing day. In the evening hours we hit some heavy clouds and slight increase in winds, which topped just below 30kn in gusts. Some squalls came through and brought some sky juice. Well, not what we expected but once out at sea, you have to deal with it. It all normalised and the second part of the night was more pleasant.

The blue sky is back, wind and waves managable and allowing us to stay on a straight line to Bermuda, 600nm to go.

Fair winds…

Bernd

E to W Atlantic Crossing – Logblog 17

E to W Atlantic Crossing – Logblog 16

E to W Atlantic Crossing – Logblog 15

We have 50nm to reach our waypoint set south of Ilet de Cabrits at 1nm distance to the shore. Sunset at that point for today is forecasted 17:43 local time. Our arrival time is a couple of hours after that in darkness. Currents shall be at its peak and some choppy seas can be expected at that turning point. Waves will come down at that point and the impact of the acceleration zone is unknown but shall not become a sudden surprise. Plan for the worst. We hope to get compensated with a picturesque sunset over St. Lucia or Martinique during our approach. Let ‘s see how that works out. Overall it shall be managable.

After some consultation we decided to proceed to the anchorage in front of Sainte Anne, where this passage will be concluded.

Fair winds…

E to W Atlantic Crossing – Logblog 14

I am a big fan of being out at sea during the nights, if the conditions are right. Tonight we got the waxing moon shining over the bow pointing us west, the direction we are heading to. It also leaves a trace of reflection on the water, which provides the path for the lady to follow. Some scattered light exists around it before the darkness takes over the universe and the stars are getting on stage. Within this darkness pooled with the million of stars the clouds become visible, which enables us to see the squalls coming even at night and before they appear on the radar.

The wind is fine tonight, around 20 to 25kn on the stern but the waves have become a bit bumpy again. It could be linked to the current, which is changing from E to W before towards S to N the closer we get to the Leeward Islands. It will impact the wave pattern, I guess. Overall, conditions nothing to complain about as long as the lightning visible very very far away towards SE from us stays away. The moon will settle already at 22:11pm local time and the scenery will change a bit.

Over the next few month there will be less nights at sea but hopefully at nice anchorages instead!

Fair winds…

E to W Atlantic Crossing – Logblog 13

These squalls are fantastic as long as they don’t carry thunder and lightning. We got two of them today and now know, how to handle and make fun out of them. After we identified them, either visually or on the radar, we determine with the help of the radar the magnitude and itensity of the upcoming intermezzo. It takes approximately between fifteen min and one hour until they arrive at the stern of the boat. They move from east to west, are faster than our boat speed and will therefore at one point in time overtake the boat providing the rain and extra wind. Rain and wind gusts depend on the magnitude and intesity of the squall.

We saw the second one today long time before it arrived. I had the shampoo ready but again, did not make it because of the intensity of the squall. With the wind gusting close to 40kn, I preferred to stay close to the steering wheel although the Hydrovane kept the course with a blink. I decided not to reef the 110% foresail (main not unfurled at all) and rather loosen the reins and let the lady fly. She did! 11kn top speed surfing down the waves.

Race or break came to my mind for a fraction of a second but before I got deeper into this brainwave the lady conspiciously indicated to me: Leave it! I did, with the result of great pleasure for both of us surfing the waves again and again unisono with Santiano blasting at full volume out of the cockpit loud speakers. Sailing at its best! After 20 to 30 minutes the spectacle was over.

Fair winds…

E to W Atlantic Crossing – Logblog 12

On December 27, 2022

It is 5:50am local time, Atlantic Standard Time. My shift is over in 10 minutes and I will not miss the sunrise set at 6:11am for today at our location over a cup of tea with Susan. I can already type these lines not using the headlamp to see the keyboard and it becomes clear, that another sunny day has started. A short while ago, there was some distance lightning, first time on our passage, which has now disappeared, so have the clouds normally announcing some potential trouble.

We had a very peaceful & pleasant Christmas here out at sea. It was also impressive. We went through some stronger winds up to 37kn and waves at around 3.5m. The wave pattern was not perfect and still a bit chaotic, or at least wobbling or not structured, but that did not take anything off from the spectacular impressions it left behind. Excellent weather support was provided by Rainer, skipper SY Geronimo, and the “twins” from Intermar e.V., Uwe/DF5AM and Uwe/DD1HUR. A big “Thank you” for preparing us factually and mentally for this lasting impressions mother nature provided to us. It was one of my best sailing days ever.

Weather was also one of the topics during the daily calls with Jan, skipper SY Sutje on the HF Marine Radio. Jan, Petra and Tobi are approximately 150nm behind us as they left Mindelo a day later and also bound for Marina Du Merin on Martinique. We both have a confirmed reservation for a few days to get those things sorted typically required after such a passage besides getting a first impression of Martinique.

Slowly we also prepare our landfall but it is still 250nm to go.

Fair winds…

E to W Atlantic Crossing – Logblog 11

On December 25, 2022

It was in the early hours after sunset when the first real squall approached us from behind. I was on shift, Susan in the bunk resting, our little Christmas tree spending some reflective athomosphere during this Christmas eve. Hm, this squall now disturbing my peaceful night.

After a check on the radar, it was clear, it will hit us and it will hit us soon, only 2nm away, moving faster than the boat as usual, no escape. The light conditions during these nights allow us to see the clouds at the sky and the heavy dark ones surounded by stars have to be taken serioiusly. I threw everything from the cockpit under deck, undressed myself down to the underwear and closed the companionway including the sliding hatch. With a last glimpse of red light from the headlamp I saw Susan’s face enjoying some deep sleep. While the pouring rain took about 10min, just enough for a shower, the right away following gusting winds kept us busy for at least half an hour. It was our first squall of this very common pattern and I skipped the shower this time and focused on the action. The wind peaked at 45kn and the lady jumped into sprinting mode quickly reaching 9+kn speed through water, which is slightly above theoretical hull speed. I did loosen the reins and let her go. I did not reef sail but took over the steering manually from the windvane although it managed quite well. I just felt more comfortable to fly her through the water myself as long as it takes to let this squall completely pass through. Being wet but not cold, I was absolutely astonished by the fact, that the waves did not shake her around anymore. It felt like being on flat waters with the hull planing through and perhaps trying to escape but, no chance. The squalls are moving even faster and after a while the fascination was over leaving a cleaned cockpit and wet skipper in underpants.

It would be overstated to say, that I look forward to get more squalls now, but some fascination is still left from this ride.

Let’s keep watching the radar to be prepared.

Fair winds…

E to W Atlantic Crossing – Logblog 10