Bernd via DL9BS/mm – Page 8

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 5 / Logblog 1

On November 24, 2022

The night was interessting. Had to give way to a fellow sailor. We had a CPA of 50m and he had the right of way, So better switch from windvane to steering wheel, adjust the sails for a while and let him pass. He did not reply on VHF and his AIS was on and off. Otherwise I rested well.

We are about 25nm behind our planned sailing route and there are different reasons for that. In short, our speed is 1-15kn slower than planned and that puts us back. I am monitoring that and consider putting the mainsail up this morning after shifting the spinnaker pole and try to stabilize it as much as possible in the waves. A boat next to me did put up the Gennaker yesterday for 30min. Nice try but it did not work in this wind/wave/course potpurri.

I am not concerned as our weather window seems to be open towards the end, which I also monitor carefully. All it matters is, that we minimize wear and tear, nothing brakes, and we arrive before the 10 December, the date Susan will touch down Mindelo! And obviously: enjoying the ocean!

Food selection is remarkable, I slept quite well last night, so Day 5 on this passage will start now with a tea at sunrise.

Fair winds…

PS:
In case I get bored, I now have a sketch book (present #4 from Elke and Ulli), to fill those hours with creativity!

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 4 / Logblog 1

By Bernd via DL9BS/mm

On November 23, 2022

In Cabo Verde, Spain

Following the latest weather forecast and based on the way we are sailing, I expect that we will need a day/night longer than original planned. Well, when I called the Marina in Mindelo yesterday, I mentioned potentially 28th sunset hours but that seems to be a bit too optimistic now and it shall be the 29th sometime during the day. The beer has to wait.

The reason is mainly that I am hesitant to deploy the mainsail to gain an extra knot of speed but taking shaking and banging into consideration besides the risk of an unintentional gybe. The latter one can well well happen with wind shifts in the range of 30 degree despite the preventer securing the boom. Why all this hassel? No need. Our weather window is open towards the end, so we can stay 24 hours longer and just keep sailing in safety, comfort and style.

I have spoken to Jan from SY Sutje this morning. They were doing better than me and were already ahead and out of the VHF reach. Well done. In principal they are challenged by the same conditions but also follow the strategy: better slow and safe.

After a huge pot of tea this morning I took some further naps in the cockpit now as the seastate is a bit more pleasant. We got 4 out of 8 cloud coverage, which allows now to sit outside in the shade and enjoy the passage. We have arrived at the sweet spot!

Fair winds…

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 3 / Logblog 2

By Bernd via DL9BS/mm

On November 23, 2022

In Cabo Verde, Spain

…sailing into the sunset…

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 3 / Logblog 1

By Bernd via DL9BS/mm

On November 23, 2022

In Cabo Verde, Spain

There is a group of five boats sailing as a flottille down to Cabo Verde. All left from San Sebastian de La Gomera yesterday morning. We are currently sailing within a circle of 10nm diameter. One disappeared from the AIS some time back but is expected to get back on the screen. Anyway, that boat was in the lead, I am at the tail.

As expected there were some hours of motor sailing at the start but then the wind got up to 12kn and the engine got shut off. During some hours in the night the wind increased and peaked just beyond 20kn, which gave us good speed. After some finetuning, I found our sail arrangements for the night. Poled out foresail only on starboard side. Easy, relaxing and no banging. Most of this passage will be pure downwind, TWA between 140 and 170 degree. Although we need to watch our progress to ensure we arrive on time, more or less. I have spoken to Marina Mindelo to inform about our ETA.

An hour ago, the wind shifted by 50 degree, which brings us a bit off course. I am not sure, if this is just a temporary shift or will stay on. If it stays on, I need to take the pole in and get the main sail back out again. I will decide in three hours, when the sun comes out and I have received the latest weather forecast.

Had also some good rest. This time I took my sleep on the floor in the saloon as it was quite rolling up in the cockpit and the air temperature would require a sleeping back. I hope the coming nights it will get warmer. Tonight it shows 23 °C on the thermometer.

I skipped the dinner after having had a good portion of noodle salad from Petra in my travel bag. Delicious and something I have not had for long time.

Highlight of the day was present #3 of the emmergency bag from Elke and Ulli, which I got in Lanzarote. Another creative delight – Mojo Suave, traditional Lanzarote food.

I look forward to daylight to leave the first night in our wake.

Fair winds…

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 2 / Logblog 3

By Bernd via DL9BS/mm

On November 15, 2022

In Spain

It is one of the rare moments, where I consider to delete the Boating from the Biking. They come and go regularly. The six hours from the southern tip of Tenerife up to La Gomera stressed me out and I just finished a 6 hours sleep, which is normally not required after a one-night-sail only. But this time my battery was below minimum charge.

The wind came on the nose as expected but was with 15 to 25kn a bit stronger than forecasted. The sea was choppy but again, nothing dramatic. Besides that, the current going south was also against us. I was just annoyed that we had to go against the wind/current again rather flying south to Cabo Verde. Still the right decision was taken.

6 hours motor sailing brought me on a straight line to the Marina de La Gomera without further tacking. Exact wind and sea state conditions at the entrance were not known to me and the darkness did not give a good feeling either. The question comes up: What the hack am I doing here? I arrived a bit early and had to hang around until sunrise, which was wonderful. Approach turned finally out – as so often – easy and safe.

Washed the lady and cleared up the boat for a week’s marina live.

Tomorrow the world will be fine again and I will start to explore La Gomera besides working on the never ending To-Do-List.

Another intensive 24 hours added to the adventure!

Fair winds…

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 2 / Logblog 2

By Bernd via DL9BS/mm

On November 14, 2022

In Spain

It is another 15nm to the southern tip of Tenerife. Wind is around 10-15kn but took a breather a bit earlier and we motor sailed for about one hour. On the other side, there was a short acceleration zone which peaked 18kn for around 15 minutes. It remains dynamic and keeps us busy. Once we have reached the southern tip, the wind will probably be more on the nose but let’s first get there.

SY Sutje is running along in parallel on our starboard with 1nm distance. Boat speeds are very much aligned. The stars are out and some left-over moon is expected shortly.

Today is Day 2 at sea on our passage to Cabo Verde and I unpacked present #2 of the emergency package received from Elke und Ulli in Puerto Calero. It made this overnight passage a lot more sweet! Thank you.

Fair winds…

PS: I have 7 presents left, which will now need to wait for a while until we finally head off south.

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 2 / Logblog 1

By Bernd via DL9BS/mm

On November 14, 2022

In Spain

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 1 / Logblock 4

By Bernd via DL9BS/mm

On November 9, 2022

In Spain

I am not at all a fan of these acceleration zones between islands, where the channel through two islands funnels the wind and accelerates its velocity. They are known and do not come as a surprise but I was hoping to get along without. No way! Why should I? At the southern part of Gran Canaria wind and waves picked up for around 2 hours. Wind topped 35kn and waves, I am not sure, a bit chaotic but nothing dramatic. Now we are back at 15kn, all normal.

Mindelo has also an acceleration zone between the islands São Vincent and Santo Antão. I think this was our preparation and training ground.

Another 5nm to reach Marina Pasito Blanco for our short stop-over.

Fair winds…

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 1 / Logblock 3

By Bernd via DL9BS/mm

On November 9, 2022

In Spain

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 1 / Logblock 2

By Bernd via DL9BS/mm

On November 9, 2022

In Spain

It is 1:24am local time and I am creeping along the western side of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) between Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. The wind is down to 11kn on the stern and with the jib fixed to the spinnaker pole we make around 3kn on average. Slow but no banging. The traffic is manageable and the captains on the commercial boats do reply to VHF calls, not only mine but also others. I believe one of the reasons is, that the TSS is managed by Las Palmas Radio, which ensures good disciplines for all.

Indeed, it was the mixture of tiredness and boredom, so I just opened present #1 from Elke and Ulli and sit now here with a Magic Cube 4 x 4 turning wheels and hammering my head around it. Gorgeous. Tried before without success but never had one. It will also be entertaining for all future passages. Just wondering, what surprises me to expect for the upcoming days.

I can clearly see the lights along the coastline of Gran Canaria with Las Palmas sticking out of the rest. The moon will set at 8:10am in the morning although it has lost a bit of its power already being perpendicular to the boat sitting on top of the mast now behind some glazed white clouds.

I have made a pot of tea.

Fair winds…

Boating & Biking Adventures

Author: Bernd via DL9BS/mm Page 8 of 15

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 5 / Logblog 1

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 4 / Logblog 1

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 3 / Logblog 2

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 3 / Logblog 1

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 2 / Logblog 3

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 2 / Logblog 2

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 2 / Logblog 1

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 1 / Logblock 4

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 1 / Logblock 3

Lanzarote to Cabo Verde – Day 1 / Logblock 2