So you know how Phil was going to fly down to Bermuda today and sail back on Arioso during the week? Cancel that - the weather had other plans.
Phil learned yesterday from Captain John Kauer that the weather forecast for the sail back was deteriorating fast and that there may even be a tropical storm in the area, so many of the boats won't be leaving Bermuda for about a week. One might think that there are worse places to be stuck than Bermuda, of course. Unfortunately Phil isn't available to take extended sailing time after July 5, so he's had to pass up on the opportunity. A crushing blow.
Next plans? Some minor maintenance work: today Phil fixed the electric winch in the cockpit (did we mention that it stopped working recently?); changed the attachment points for the lifelines on the port side (we noticed only during our recent trip that the attachments on the starboard side were at the cockpit end, the attachments on the port side away from the cockpit, meaning that crew had to leave the cockpit to undo the lifelines on that side), and resealed the ignition, which was becoming very loose. Sailing plans are still to be solidified for the July 4 weekend - talk is of sailing Prairie Gold into Boston Harbor and flying the infamous spinnaker, though Cap'n and crew have to determine if they really want to be that provocative. And there's a hint of a rumor (and this is just between you and me - don't tell anyone) of a plan for a rally to Provincetown late in the summer.
Back on dry land we still have to post pictures from our recent adventure. There aren't as many pictures as one might hope as some of the best photo ops come when it's impossible to grab a camera (pitching seas with Dustin on the bow, anyone?), but we'll do our best.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
One Man's Dream Revived
Breaking news! Cap'n Phil is back in the rally!
So how did this happen? Many months ago Phil was chatting to a colleague and friend, John Kauer, about his plans to sail Prairie Gold to Bermuda as part of the Bermuda Cruising Rally. John got caught up in the enthusiasm and decided to sail his boat in the rally too. He assembled his crew, equipped his vessel and started the journey. Unfortunately one of the members of aforesaid crew - a seasoned sailor - became extremely seasick on the trip down. The poor man struggled on, but what a dilemma. How could he possibly make the five to six day trip back?
Phil to the rescue! He's booked his flight, is doing his laundry, and will fly down to Bermuda on Saturday to join John and his merry band of men on their sail back to the east coast. The sick crew member will be able to take a flight home. A win for everyone.
And so we invite youto join us in following John Kauer's boat Arioso on iboattrack.com and be part of Phil's dream revived. We're sure he'll have tales of derring-do to share when he gets back.
So how did this happen? Many months ago Phil was chatting to a colleague and friend, John Kauer, about his plans to sail Prairie Gold to Bermuda as part of the Bermuda Cruising Rally. John got caught up in the enthusiasm and decided to sail his boat in the rally too. He assembled his crew, equipped his vessel and started the journey. Unfortunately one of the members of aforesaid crew - a seasoned sailor - became extremely seasick on the trip down. The poor man struggled on, but what a dilemma. How could he possibly make the five to six day trip back?
Phil to the rescue! He's booked his flight, is doing his laundry, and will fly down to Bermuda on Saturday to join John and his merry band of men on their sail back to the east coast. The sick crew member will be able to take a flight home. A win for everyone.
And so we invite youto join us in following John Kauer's boat Arioso on iboattrack.com and be part of Phil's dream revived. We're sure he'll have tales of derring-do to share when he gets back.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Yesterday we sailed out of Long Island and by late afternoon were in blue rather than green water. Saw a school of dolphins that came and swam next to the boat. Marvelous.
If you have been tracking us you will have seen we enjoyed Long Island so much that we turned around. We had several small problems during the trip and at our 7pm weather briefing learned that we would have to turn around immediately or continue to Bermuda. Phil decided it would be prudent to return. So we are on our way. All are well.
If you have been tracking us you will have seen we enjoyed Long Island so much that we turned around. We had several small problems during the trip and at our 7pm weather briefing learned that we would have to turn around immediately or continue to Bermuda. Phil decided it would be prudent to return. So we are on our way. All are well.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Ready to leave Greenport
We arrived safely in Greenport on Friday evening at 5:30pm EST. On the way down we had minor engine heating problem which was due to weeds in the raw water intake. All is fixed and ready to go.
On the way down we caught a blue fish which will be barbequed later today.
Saturday was spent in briefings about weather and the gulf stream. The predictions are for good weather for the crossing and the ability to use a meander in the gulf stream, for about 200nm, to aid our transit.
At 7:15am there will be a final weather briefing and we will set sail for Bermuda.
Prairie Gold in dock at Greenport
On the way down we caught a blue fish which will be barbequed later today.
Saturday was spent in briefings about weather and the gulf stream. The predictions are for good weather for the crossing and the ability to use a meander in the gulf stream, for about 200nm, to aid our transit.
At 7:15am there will be a final weather briefing and we will set sail for Bermuda.
Prairie Gold in dock at GreenportThursday, June 17, 2010
And they're off!!
Our brave sailors set sail today on their long and treacherous journey to Bermuda. They left Boston at high noon on their way to their first stop in Greenport, NY, from where they will sail straight down to Bermuda. Bon voyage!!!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Final Preparations
As you may guess, we have had a very busy last few days getting Prairie Gold ready to set sail!
Major achievements included installing padeyes in the cockpit for safety, installing the completed lee cloths, netting in the saloon for storage, stowing the dry/non-perishable goods, installing the radar reflectors on the upper spreaders, setting up dual propane system and moving BBQ, folding of the charts to ease their use during the trip.
Check out the handiwork!! Now we and our snacks will be safe while heeled over!
Phil points out how if we make a wrong turn we may end up in the Arctic Circle!
We plan on using our powers of reflection during the trip so that others see us!
Major achievements included installing padeyes in the cockpit for safety, installing the completed lee cloths, netting in the saloon for storage, stowing the dry/non-perishable goods, installing the radar reflectors on the upper spreaders, setting up dual propane system and moving BBQ, folding of the charts to ease their use during the trip.
Check out the handiwork!! Now we and our snacks will be safe while heeled over!
Phil points out how if we make a wrong turn we may end up in the Arctic Circle!
We plan on using our powers of reflection during the trip so that others see us!Sunday, June 13, 2010
Timeline of Voyage
We expect to depart Boston by noon Thursday June 17th and sail overnight to Greenport Long Island. This is a 150nm voyage and we hope to arrive by 8pm on Friday 18th. Of importance to the trip is timing as we have to ensure we catch the correct current passing through the Cape Cod Canal. We will spend Saturday 19th in Greenport with the Bermuda Cruising Rally where we will have Prairie Gold checked out to make sure we have all of our safety equipment installed. We will have safety as well as other seminars and then, weather permitting, set sail for Bermuda at about noon on Sunday June 20th.
When we arrive in Greenport we will join up with other boats and crew on the trip and will meet Tania Aebi , the first women to solo circumnavigate the globe. Tania will be sailing in the Rally and will, we are sure, provide much guidance for us.
Throughout the voyage we will be in twice daily satellite phone contact with the rally and will also get daily weather and gulf stream briefings from Jenifer and Dane Clark.
By sailing with the rally we gain access to the Clark's services which will be important to help us identify a weather window to enable us to sail to Bermuda.
As we sail to Bermuda we will need to careful identify waypoint locations to help us make use of advantageous currents from the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream will have a current of up to 4kts and given the maximum speed of a sailboat our size is about 7-8kts (in ideal conditions) we want to make sure that the current works for us, not against us.
A critical area is eddy currents that form from the gulf stream. As the gulf stream heads northeast clockwise rotating warm eddies form on the northern side of the stream, and counter-clockwise cold eddies on the southern side of the stream. Thus as we approach an eddy we want to head to the eastern side of a warm eddy so that current helps propel us towards Bermuda. We will get daily help in identifying the location of these eddies and in navigating to use them to our best advantage.
See surface temperature measurements help identify the gulf stream and its eddies. This image is extracted from The Satellite Communications Facility at the Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory and is a 3 day composite image posted on June 9th 2010.
During the voyage we will not be in email contact. Thus we will not be able to update the blog. However, when we arrive in Greenport and again in Bermuda, we will provide updates.
When we arrive in Greenport we will join up with other boats and crew on the trip and will meet Tania Aebi , the first women to solo circumnavigate the globe. Tania will be sailing in the Rally and will, we are sure, provide much guidance for us.
Throughout the voyage we will be in twice daily satellite phone contact with the rally and will also get daily weather and gulf stream briefings from Jenifer and Dane Clark.
By sailing with the rally we gain access to the Clark's services which will be important to help us identify a weather window to enable us to sail to Bermuda.
As we sail to Bermuda we will need to careful identify waypoint locations to help us make use of advantageous currents from the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream will have a current of up to 4kts and given the maximum speed of a sailboat our size is about 7-8kts (in ideal conditions) we want to make sure that the current works for us, not against us.
A critical area is eddy currents that form from the gulf stream. As the gulf stream heads northeast clockwise rotating warm eddies form on the northern side of the stream, and counter-clockwise cold eddies on the southern side of the stream. Thus as we approach an eddy we want to head to the eastern side of a warm eddy so that current helps propel us towards Bermuda. We will get daily help in identifying the location of these eddies and in navigating to use them to our best advantage.
See surface temperature measurements help identify the gulf stream and its eddies. This image is extracted from The Satellite Communications Facility at the Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory and is a 3 day composite image posted on June 9th 2010.
During the voyage we will not be in email contact. Thus we will not be able to update the blog. However, when we arrive in Greenport and again in Bermuda, we will provide updates.Thursday, June 10, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Guys get Dirty, Gals get Domestic
This weekend the boys and girls split into gender-based teams to tackle vital prep projects. The guys did such manly things as taking Prairie Gold to fill her up with diesel, changing the fuel-water separator filter, the fuel filter, and immobilizing the life raft in the lazarette. The smell of testosterone wafted for miles!
Meanwhile, back at chez Haydon, the girls had a fabulous sewing project. Yes, it was time at last to make the lee cloths. Now for those of you not familiar with such things these are like half a hammock and are used in the saloon to keep sleepers safe in their bunks when the boat heels. The bottom of the lee cloth is attached under the cushions of the bunk. Fastening of the bottom is made to the bulkhead while the top is attached above the bunk with sheets. We decided to add a type of mesh fabric (Phifertex) to the top of our lee cloths to let in air and light but to form a screen that would afford a little more privacy and security for the sleeper. Check back later to see these installed. And to find out if they work.
Despite appearances, Phil did not take a hammer to the engine!
Filters definitely needed changing!
And Dustin was just the man for the job.
The first lee cloth, just before sewing. Note the beautifully mitered corners.
Yolande got to be sewing machine driver. This picture was NOT taken at one of the many points when she speared herself with the pins stuck all over the place.
Rochelle tries to hammer in grommets. And avoid hammering the couscous left on the stove.
Once the first was sewn, Dustin bravely initiated testing of the lee cloth on the living-room floor, with Rochelle acting as the top attachment points!
Now if only the living-room could heel-over for a real test!
Meanwhile, back at chez Haydon, the girls had a fabulous sewing project. Yes, it was time at last to make the lee cloths. Now for those of you not familiar with such things these are like half a hammock and are used in the saloon to keep sleepers safe in their bunks when the boat heels. The bottom of the lee cloth is attached under the cushions of the bunk. Fastening of the bottom is made to the bulkhead while the top is attached above the bunk with sheets. We decided to add a type of mesh fabric (Phifertex) to the top of our lee cloths to let in air and light but to form a screen that would afford a little more privacy and security for the sleeper. Check back later to see these installed. And to find out if they work.
Despite appearances, Phil did not take a hammer to the engine!
Filters definitely needed changing!
And Dustin was just the man for the job.
The first lee cloth, just before sewing. Note the beautifully mitered corners.
Yolande got to be sewing machine driver. This picture was NOT taken at one of the many points when she speared herself with the pins stuck all over the place.
Rochelle tries to hammer in grommets. And avoid hammering the couscous left on the stove.
Once the first was sewn, Dustin bravely initiated testing of the lee cloth on the living-room floor, with Rochelle acting as the top attachment points!Now if only the living-room could heel-over for a real test!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)