Day 194 - Driving on the left

We have received one very brief message, each of the past two days with a location and just a few words. The crew is a little discouraged with all the heavy weather they have had but they have developed a strategy for skirting around the next one and, hopefully, will be in port before the following system comes through. The mileage left to travel is about 700 miles, so five to seven days. We anticipate we will be back on the boat by next Thursday.
We had a fairly mild trip over on Delta Airlines, Finn and I managed a three seat row for the two of us so he was able t spread out and catch, at least, half a night's sleep. A few delays but we had built enough extra time in the trip to compensate. We are now at a neat little bed and breakfast not far from the airport. This allowed for us to make an easy transfer from the airport and the kids were asleep within an hour or two of landing. They had a nice afternoon nap followed by an early evening out in the village of Bunratty.
The excitement of the day was fetching the rent-a-car, which left me navigating my way back to the B&B through Friday afternoon Limerick, rush hour traffic, driving on the left, with a stick shift. I was mentally prepared round-a-bouts, left hand wheels and city traffic; I was not quite ready for shifting with my left hand. I did fine and made it back unscathed, although I did have just a bit of that adrenaline shaking thing Bob has been analyzing.
We begin exploration tomorrow with a visit to the Bunratty castle and will head north Sunday. Thanks everyone for all the well-wishes.    -Kim

Day 193 to 194 - Extended Crew has arrived in Ireland

We had word from Midwatch that all is well. They are still waiting for more weather to pass but hopefully by tomorrow they will be making time in the right direction. We have travelled to, and arrived in, Ireland and resting.

Days 191 and 192 - Still Weathering the Storm

We had no word from Midwatch yesterday but I was comfortable that all was well, it is not easy to do much when in such big seas. I will admit, though, I was up this morning, a little past five, checking my email. Lucky for me, two emails came in. I was glad to see that all is well and hoping, for the Bobs sake, that they have a day or two to make some ground east.

Meanwhile, we are down to less than 24 hours until departure and still loads to do. As I am writing this we are travelling back from Block Island following a wonderful visit with cruising friend Virginia. We had a fantastic trip and really enjoyed Block Island. There was even a fiber mill across the road from our Inn and we were able to take a tour. I was realistic enough to realize that I will not have time to knit any time soon, so I did not buy more yarn, but it was great fun to see all the fiber and the machines that clean and color and make it into batts, cones, and skeins. There is a small animal farm there and the kids were able to pet a kangaroo and get really close to two huge camels.

The shops and restaurants were interesting without being out-of-reach for the main stream and we ate more that we could conceivably fit into our stomachs. Virginia showed us the channel to enter the Great Salt Pond so that we will know where to come next year on our way north.  We can’t wait!  -Kim

 

Hi Everyone,

 Again, we are fine but it has been a trying day for us.

Last night after dealing with round one of the storm yesterday the wind died and we motored (trying to ease the dreaded sail slap) until just before dawn when the wind came back in from the south.  Grandpa got me up early so we could reef the main.  Sure enough within a few hours we were in lots of wind again.  I decided to furl the storm jib and Grandpa who had been standing on the cockpit ladder jumped (without his jacket and harness) up to help.  He meant well but was holding the sheet so hard I could not furl.  The noise was deafening and I was basically screaming at Grandpa to let the line go so I could overcome the force of the wind.  The more I yelled the more he held.  This was a low point for both of us.  I yelled at him like one yells at a child who is going to get hurt.  You mean it to protect but it comes out all wrong.  We both feel like crap about it.

Grandpa went down below to rest and I sailed until the winds started reaching 30 kts and called it quits and hove to.  We both rested down below and within a couple of hours the winds abated and the sun came out.  While enjoying some soup in the cockpit the wind shifted dramatically so we started sailing again.  At first we were saying we should add sail and then we said we have just the right amount of sail and then we started decreasing and then we were hove to for round three of this damn storm.  In retrospect I think we had been in some sort of eye of the hurricane remnant.  This third round is the most vicious and we have been lying in north winds averaging 35 kts for hours and the seas are the worst of the trip so far.  At the peak the boat went spinning out of control while we were down below.  We rushed out to deal with it amid screaming winds and violent seas.  The wheel had been lashed in the hove-to position but somehow we had swung off the wind and jibed and were rounding up on the other tack.  As quickly as I could I untied the rudder and tried to get us hove-to on the new tack.  The rudder felt strange to me and I couldn't understand what had happened.  We assumed the steering had failed (one of my biggest fears).  We pulled out the emergency tiller and tried to steady things up as much as one could in these conditions.  You don't know if it will keep intensifying.   The winds were well above what was forecasted already.  So we retreated back down below again and tried to rest which was impossible because we thought our steering was broken.  After a restless nap and hours of 35 kt winds the wind backed down into the high 20's.  I couldn't stand it anymore so I went in the aft cabin and tore through all the bags and sails and crap to pull up the mattress and check out the steering gear.  I found nothing wrong.  I came back out in the main cabin and had a discussion with Grandpa about the situation.  We ran through theories and scenarios and options.  We also noticed that we were not really hove-to but were sailing forward at around 2.5 kts.  Again this made us think we had a problem.  The wind was down to the mid 20's so we put on our suits and went out to play with the steering.  We found that the emergency tiller could be moved further to the lee and that the rudder seemed to respond.  I even went out on the swim platform to try and observe the rudder.  Looking out across the expanse of frothy/mountainous seas from "outside" the boat is impossible to describe.  We also found that there is a fair bit of play in the tiller and so the wheel seems screwed up but we think it is OK.  In retrospect my latest theory is that in the 35+ kt winds and huge steep waves and cut away keel at the bow allowed the bow to get blown down a wave and the rudder lost its grip.  It went far enough that the wind got control and we spun and jibed.  So the good news is we think the steering is OK but the bad news is that we can't fully trust heaving-to in heavy weather.  In the meantime we would like to sail but the seas are so big we are afraid to try and come about so we are going to try and be patient and let the seas diminish a bit.

In the bigger picture we have lost lots of time between calms, storms, counter currents, and repairs and this leg of the trip is really testing us.  I am two days behind my most conservative guesses for our progression since we left Flores.  We also see another storm chasing us that looks to be the biggest yet.  I guess this is just how it is going to be for us.

Early this morning I was thinking about fear and storms.  I think for me the scary part is not at the peak but nearer the beginning when it is building but you don't know what it will become.  It is also the stage where you are still sailing and trying to make progress but you know you will soon be faced with the decision to reduce sail and the question of will you do it soon enough and thoroughly enough etc.  This morning while up in the cockpit alone during this process of the storm building I found myself shaking.  The same thing happens when I see a big fish so I think part of it is what happens when adrenaline starts running in your veins and you have no outlet.  You see that in hunting dogs that are just about to be let loose...they quiver all over.  Of-course after the rush of adrenaline you become exhausted.  As I am writing this the wind is once again increasing back into the 30's and I am getting anxious about it and starting to shake...damn it.  Kim and I said part of what this trip is for us is to get out of our comfort zone and learn to deal with it....well I am way out of that zone at this moment.

Hopefully this will pass soon and allow us to turn and continue on our way or at least in a direction roughly towards Ireland.

Grandpa made dinner...gruel (oatmeal) and coffee!  He is also doing the dishes.  I think I am learning how Kim must feel.  I am one lazy bastard when it comes to meals and dishes.  I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

So, here is our current position. (Actually losing ground now that we are on the wrong tack while hove-to)

19:50 UTC

45 42 N

28 15 W

Wind 22-31 kts out of the Northwest

Hove to on starboard tack

Seas...just nasty...I can never estimate how big they are.

Hoping for a better day tomorrow,

Bob and Bob

*******************************

 

Good morning,

Strong squalls came in yesterday and I decided I didn't want to risk the equipment so sorry I didn't make contact.  We stayed hove-to all night on the wrong tack and lost 25-30 miles over the past 24 hrs.  We are sailing again this morning and now worried about the next storm.  I will download a new chart shortly but it looks like we need to get ourselves north again.  This passage is turning into a true war for us.

The sun is out now and we are moving again so that is good.

Current position:

8:11 UTC

45º 38’ N

28º 13’ W

Course 20 True

spd 6+ kts

Wind 15-20 from west northwest

Seas 10-15 feet estimate...large leftover crap from yesterday

 

Bob and Bob

 

 

 

All OK

Will add emails, yesterdays and todays received this AM, later. Too rough yesterday but all is ok.

Day 190 - Weathering the Storm

Anna went to church on Sunday morning with my Mom and Dad and the minister's sermon was on crossing oceans and having faith. 'Walking on water' stuff. Near the end of the sermon she came over and stood next to Anna and talked about 'Anna's Dad' crossing the Ocean and the faith that it requires to take such a leap. Anna was so excited to come home and tell me about it!  We had studied the word 'Faith' last fall when we read the book The Little Island, and it was a great way to reinforce the lesson. As the kids and I sit in luxury on Block Island visiting with cruising-friend Virginia, Bob and Bob are fighting the remnants of a tropical storm. It hardly seems fair and yet all is well. I have faith that Bob will tackle any situation with skill and common sense and we will meet again on the far side.  We chose this course and it does take a 'leap of faith' to cross an ocean...and for that matter, to take a trip down I-95.

 

Hi everyone,

First off...we are doing just fine right now.

When I left off yesterday I took a nap during Grandpa's afternoon watch.  According to the weather map he was supposed to have painfully slow near calm conditions.   Instead he had winds 16-22 kts with great angry black but isolated squalls to dodge.  He did a great job tacking back and forth to avoid them.  He woke me near the end of his watch and I helped us sneak between the last two squalls for the evening.  I spent my 6-9 p.m. watch working my way upwind to try and get us north to minimize the impact of the storm to hit on Monday morning. Passed within a mile and a half of a large ship headed East.   We kept moving until my second watch at midnight when the wind effectively died.  I started the engine and we motored on till morning to recharge the batteries and continue getting ourselves to the north.

Grandpa woke me up just before 6.  He was a miserable sight to see.  A cold misty rain had developed and he had just sat in it and let it consume him.  I was a bit upset because I wanted him to save himself for the storm yet to come.  There wasn't much point in staying outside in the cockpit the entire time while we were motoring...not to mention he soaked my mittens!  I think he equates sitting on watch to deer hunting...I just don't see the point of getting soaked until it’s necessary which wouldn't be too long with the weather forecast we have.

Anyway, I took over watch at 6 and the wind began to fill in at our backs.  Soon I had the engine off and we were sailing again in 5 - 6 kts.  Not long after though, the wind began to build and, knowing what was coming today, I wanted to get the big main double-reefed ASAP!  I had to open the hatch and wake up Grandpa who was snug under the covers.  He didn't complain though and got back into his soaked gear and came out and helped us get reefed.  Once Midwatch was in order he retreated to his bunk and I got the old girl moving again under double reefed main and working jib.  The rain came in with a vengeance and so did the wind.  I ran the best angle I could about (315º True) for a couple of hours with ever building wind (22-27kts) and seas.   Then the wind shifted dramatically and I was able to veer to a north heading.  Interestingly the sun came out and it was actually quite nice.  The wind and waves, however, continued to build.  About 9:00 PM Grandpa came back on deck.  We decided we would try three hour watches day and night until the storm was behind us.  Grandpa took over and I went below to prep for more wind (putting loose articles in more safe places), closing any unnecessary thru-hulls valves and made breakfast (last of the eggs though I saved one to make brownies).

The waves continued to build and Otto our autopilot decided he was ready for a break and gave up.  That put Grandpa at the helm for the next hour or so.  I have decided that Grandpa is what you would call "a lake sailor".  He is in the habit of using points on the shoreline to steer for.  Unfortunately that does not work here and he has a tough time with it.  In retrospect perhaps I should have made him hand steer for a half hour at the beginning of every watch but that didn't happen.  After his hour at the wheel I sent him down below to get more rest and settled myself in at the wheel.  When Otto let go we furled the working jib so we were running under double reefed main alone.

As the seas continued to build, I think adrenaline kept my mind super active trying to anticipate the next step.  Couldn't help but think about movie quotes like "she's comin' on boys...she's comin' on real strong" or" we're really in it now".  

The next step I figured I would need to make would be to round-up and heave-to into the wind...the question is when?  For now I was making great time towards our destination and away from the main path of the storm.  If the waves get too big it becomes a really hairy maneuver to try and turn the boat approximately 180º and come to a stop.  Fortunately I never had to make the decision...with no warning the wind nearly stopped, but off the port bow I could see a wicked wind coming but from a different angle so I squared up to it and decided I didn't want to dance with it so I came about and parked like a duck with its head under its wing.  Within moments we were laid over with 35kt winds.  Midwatch took it but I don't think she liked it.  I retreated down below with Grandpa.  We watched the anemometer for a while and took seasickness medication just in case.  I closed another thru-hull and chose to melt into the port settee rather than listen to the wind scream and watch the portholes go under water.  When I woke an hour later the winds had backed down to the 20's and now they are all the way down to 15 with gusts to 20 or so.

Grandpa and I discussed the situation at length.  I decided to get more data before trying to make a move and Grandpa took his turn at the bunk.  It looks as though it might become nearly calm tonight in our location and then flair up with winds in the mid 30's again tomorrow (Round Two)!  The rain has just set in again and we are so comfortable that I am hard pressed to want to get back into pushing Midwatch through these giant waves with not enough wind power, so for now we stay put.

 Current Location:

               17:30 UTC
               44 59 N
               28 37 W
               Wind 19kts out of the northeast
               Waves (really big)
               spd 2.2 kts
                    Hove-to on starboard tack facing West
               Course moving slowly to the south west

Thanks for the clear, concise storm report from Ted LaDue, as our friend John Woodworth (pilot) always says "you really need to visualize the BIG PICTURE".

I am able to get very detailed but fairly localized weather info but I haven't learned how to look at the big picture with the technology I have.  So again thanks Ted and Kim as well.

FYI, we still have lots of water and food.  Diesel is only being used for carefully thought out situations.

Power with our new wind generator is a non-issue with the winds we have today.

Showers and clean laundry...not-so-much!

Have a great day,

Bob and Bob

Day 189 - Still on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

We have had an interesting couple of days trying to track the storm (Tropical Storm Andrea) and predict its course. We have sent lots of texts and emails back and forth and even lost a little sleep. At least the first bit is over. The remnants of Andrea remain. All along, Bob has known that the little bit from The Azores to Ireland would be the worst and, we suspect, he is about to be proven correct.

Good Morning,

Well we managed to stay north of the first round of heavier winds but we have had a long morning with lots of rain and little progress.  We seem to get a little breeze, go a few miles and it dies.  The direction has also been quite variable and has nearly done a full circle in the past six hours.  We spent the night hove-to because of so little wind.  We have also had to lower and raise the main sail numerous times to try and keep it from destroying itself in the calm but big swell conditions.  We are trying hard to be patient as we know we will have more wind than we know what to do with very soon.

Hove-to at night with our anchor light on we have been swarmed by Ballyhoo (a type of baitfish).  We have been wondering what the dolphin eat...these might be it.  Just came across our 4th dead sea turtle today.  Better send Al Gore...we think it might be related to global warming.  Anyway I am not eating whatever these turtles are eating.

Also of interest is that we have been traveling over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.  This is an area of personal interest for me.  We are actually sailing over the tops of the biggest mountains in the world.  Maybe there is some volcanic gas that is killing the turtles?

All for now, sometime tomorrow we should be back to the races and hope to put up some more interesting position progressions.

Current position:

            13:55 UTC
                43 33 N
            28 37 W
            Hove-to (parked)
            wind 4-11 kts out of the north

Bob and Bob

Day 188 - Preparing for Andrea

(Received Sat. 9:15 A.M., last word is they are moving north again)
                                                                - Kim
Good morning,

The mood has changed again.  We learned last night that this 2nd system we have been watching which seems to be big, fast, and ugly is actually the remnants of a hurricane.  Hard to describe the emotion that term invokes out here where we are.   Our intentions of just a few days ago were going to put us right in the eye.  So we put the brakes on so to speak and have hove-to to gather information rest and prep for the next move, if any.

This morning we put a double reef in the main and changed out the genoa for our working jib.  We tested things out and furled the jib tightly.  We made a nice line for lashing the steering wheel.  Working on many other odds and ends but will also try to get as much food and sleep in the bank as we can.

Bob and Bob