Ocean Venture - Blog - Ocean Venture 4/12/15

December 4th Fish count remains on “2” We are making good progress, continue sailing throughout the day and night, (no noisey engine), flying the Gollywobbler during the day and goosewinging during the night. The trade winds are blowing at a steady 20 knots. We have just 581 nautical miles to our destination. We can almost taste the rum punch on our lips, and hear the party atmosphere. We are hoping to arrive in St Lucia by Monday 7th lunch time or earlier. Crew spirits are high as we sail nearer St Lucia, hotels and flights home are being booked. Our fresh food has lasted very well, we have not started on the tinned food. The sandwich toaster works well for lunch and everyone likes the various combinations of ingredients. A small number of baby flying fish have. read more...

Ocean Venture - Blog - Ocean Venture - 3rd Dec

December 3rd Fish count remains on “2” Sailing at last, we have shut down that noisey engine, good steady winds, the Gollywobbler sail is up, making good progress, approx 750 nautical miles to our destination of St Lucia, sailing at around 10 knots, Mark is now converted as to how useful the Gollywobbler sail is spread between 2 masts. Weather remains hot and sunny during the day, warm and very dark during the night. The moon has deserted us until the very late hours of the morning and then it is only a half moon. George has passed his test at baking, making a very delicious mango sponge, today he is trying his hand at a chicken stir fry, he is kindly giving Roy and Suzie a well earned rest from the hot stove. Everyone one on board is in high spirits as we count. read more...

Ocean Venture - Blog - Ocean Venture - 01/12/15

December 1st Fish Count remains on “2” – No more lures lost Steady day motor sailing direct to our destination. The wind speed has steadily increased, and we have been sailing with our Fore main, Main and “A” sails up for several hours. We have now taken down the “A” sail and we are goose winging downwind with the motor running, maintaining a good average speed. Weather is good, sun is hot, sea state is regular, as we surf down the waves.  One of the guys (James) got hit by a flying fish during the night, while he was helming. (woke him up!!) A pod of dolphins was sighted, approximately 20, they came to say hello and played in our bow wave for several minutes. 5 Flying fish were recovered from our decks this morning Everyone on board is in high spirits,. read more...

Ocean Venture - Blog - Ocean Venture - 30/11/15

November 30th Wait for this! Fish Count “2” – A tuna, snapped at our hook, and was caught after a prolonged period of trying to get the fish landed. A gimble fishing harness was worn, many helpers at hand. A lot of pulling and tugging to get the fish on board (a Royal Battle). Roars of laughter broke out amongst the crew that could be heard as far away as Grand Canary and St Lucia as a baby skip jack tuna was pulled out of the water and landed on the pushpit, the fish weighed at least  ½ Kilo. Well done George!! Our newly caught prize was devoured at lunch today, George making an excellent Sushi, along with pie, coleslaw, cheese, and chorio prepared by Susie.  We are still motor sailing along, speeding along at just over 8 knots, our fuel status is good and we. read more...

Ocean Venture - Blog - Ocean Venture - 29/11/15

November 29th Fish Count – Still 1. Waiting patiently. Had a couple of bites, but they escaped. We are getting creative with making fishing lures – bits of pipe, foil, shredded plastic bottle, coloured tape, string, you name it, we’ll stick a hook on it and throw it off the back. Big news today is that following a group meeting with the entire crew and lots of maths we have decided to switch on the engine. After being totally calmed for an hour last night, and almost three days of bobbing around with very little wind, the prospect of extending the trip to what was calculated to be about December 18th was not appealing. We had done our best to head south in search of breeze but with no luck. Those of you tracking our progress on the GPS will have noticed our southerly. read more...