Windsurf - LOG day 3 Halfway to Bermuda

Hi,here is a note from SY Windsurf, Peter and Marianne from theNetherlands. ! We areon half the trip from the British Virgin Islands to Bermuda. All kinds ofweather we have had so far. Everything is turning out great. According to thefleettracker form Yellow Brick we are in the middle of the fleet.  So we feel very safe !!!  Also our boat Windsurf, a Contest 50cs,is doing allright. Ourstart on Saturday, May 6th 2017, was a bit slow, so we ended up inthe back of the field. When we were out of the islands (a beautiful goodbye ofthe BVI’s), the wind came from the SE,  13-20 knts. Nice sailing conditions… withan average SOG of 8-9 knts, we came into the middle of the fleet…  the first 24hrs we covered 180nM !!  the first days at sea are always tiring.You have to get. read more...

Windsurf - Windsurf Finished in the Carib

Saturday, 16th December, 2013.The Windsurf is still on the Ocean.  Big squals, heavy showers and lots of wind are coming over the Windsurf. It is called Passage Trade Winds, but I didn't know that those winds are soo heavy. More than 40 knots of winds. How can you survive on your boat. Everything makes a lot of noice, falls on the ground and gets dirty. For your own safety : Sit down...do not do too much... Only drink enough and eat simple things.In the night the squals were more heavy. There was a full moon, so the squals were easily recognized against the clear sky. Black clouds and suddenly a lot of wind and rain...Tuesday, 17th December, 2013.Finish in the Marina of St. Lucia. We are sooooo glad we feel a steady ground under our feet.. We finished !!!  A warm welcome from. read more...

Windsurf - The Windsurf Nightwatch...

Windsurf Nightwatch at the Atlantic... The Windsurf, totally alone on a big ocean.... Only with a lot of stars,planets and the moon... And... more than 200 boats around us. But we cannot see them... Have theyfound the good winds ? We are on the 15th/16th lattitude, but our speed is below5 knots at the moment... Do we reach St. Lucia in time ? Of course we do, but not in the coming weekend. We think perhaps at Mondayor Tuesday... Ocean Management, a difficult subject. The wind behaves different than thevariety of forecasts learns us. A great pity... Or what do we do wrong ?Our sails are standing in the opposite of each other, like a butterfly. Sowe catch more wind. Monday, 9th of December, 2013, The day after.... Totally different... 15 knots of wind from the NW.   And..... read more...

Windsurf - Wednesday, 27th November, 2013

Everything ok on the Windsurf, except that we do notcatch any fish so far. Our son Eric is doing his utmost with a 50m line behindour boat, but no fish will bite into our beautiful neon fishes. Maybe tomorrow….In the meantime the skipper is occupied with our high pressure pan for making aboeuf bourguignon. He has bought a nice piece of beef at JP. Butchers at theMercado Central of Las Palmas and believe it or not the meat was well done within20 minutes. Very delicious with onion, garlic and a carrot and… red wine !  The side dish was grilled vegetables andspanish potatoes… compliments to Peter, our allround skipper ! We had 15 knots of wind on the nose but that does notmatter the food was of high quality … a good alternative for the fish, we hopethat they will bite tomorrow. If so,. read more...

Windsurf - Re: ARC activities

Windsurf thoughts....Exciting day...Everything well prepared and ready to 'go with the flow...'How do we experience this sailing trip... ?How is the weather for 3 weeks ? Enough wind, no wind, or too much wind ? Showers ?Do we have enough food and drinks, the right medicines and enough toilet paper ?Can we live together on a few square meter on a boat...? There is no escape...Do we catch a fish ? And can we prepare it ?Can we sent messages on the ARC site, on our own mail or on the Windsurf site ?Questions and uncertainties... On the very wide ocean we shall learn about this all.We are ready to go and we shall do our utmost to make this journey the best sailing trip we never forget ! An Unforgettable One !All the best for you all and many thxs for the great preparation time here in Las. read more...