Beetle - Beetle - day 19

Forget what I wrote on day 14 - about not being able to achieve hull speed. 2 hours later the trade winds kicked in big time. During the night we reached 34 knots of true wind and seas to match. Following seas, but still quite massive waves.The weather forecast informed, that the the Trade winds would persist in the western grids with a fresh to strong force for the next several days.The next couple of days the wind abated to about 24 knots true, which gave us a more reasonable 16 knots (8 m/s) apparant. Last night we didn't have any moon, and the sky was filled with dark clouds.We had one reef in the main and the genua 1/3 rolled in hoisted on the pole. The wind rose to 44 knots true and we made an unvoluntary gybe. We had a boom preventer attached, which held the sail, but we were. read more...

Beetle - Beetle - day 14

Getting into the quiet mood.1007 miles to go - looking for the 1000 nm mark. Treating myself with a cold Coke and a mini Bounty.In the confined waters of Denmark Skipper usual helms the boat. There is a little more space here midocean, so the autopilot has done a remarkable job - as well under sail as under engine. In the meantime the crew (Skipper and Mrs. Skipper) has been reading, cooking, maintenance, adjustments and watched a few movies.We are experiencing some sort of jetlag. Our ships clock is on Las Palmas (UTC) time, but we are moving some 10-15 minutes further west each 24 hours. It' s getting later and later dark, and sunrise is later every morning. We will keep it that way - and look forward to weather reports and noon positions every day at 12 UTC.Temperature in the saloon. read more...

Beetle - Beetle - day 9

Well, it's been some days since the last log. I assume some of the boats in weather grid Hotel will know why. Yesterday monday was actually very nice, but we spend all day cleaning the boat and drying clothes.The previous days didn' t resemble Trade Winds very well to say the least. It was the usual SW winds, that made any southern progress impossible - unless one fansied sailing SE.3 days ago we had serious wind forces and a sea to match. Sea water as well as fresh water (rain) was flushing over the boat. Everything below deck was wet. All clothes are wet. Foul weather clothes, shoes, socks, trousers - even the contains in the laundry bag was soaked.Beetle was pounding through the waves beating as much southwards as possible, since we were earlier on advised to be south of grid Charlie.. read more...

Beetle - Beetle - day 4

Well, Well, WellThe first 2 days we were cruising at hull speed. Yesterday the wind went SW. Because of small but steep waves, it was not possible to go too close to the wind. Still we were pounding the waves making progress at 6,5 knots 190 magnetic. We had not done any pounding since the English Channel. By evening time the coarse was about 150-160 degrees, not really what we wanted. The forecast was for the wind to turn to SW-W.We had no patience for that, so we tacked to 260 degrees and set the autopilot on apparant wind angle 42 degrees on port tack. Unfortunately and since we are lightly crewed, Skipper being tired and only checked trafficking and also missed the alarm 3 hours later realized that the wind eventually had turned west and Beetle was heading course 005 degrees. read more...

Beetle - Day 2

What a fantastic start for the ARC 2013.Within hours we sailed dead dead downwind, broad reaching, reaching, beating. Today we have had a beam reach since 5 am this morning. Doing +7 knots all day - slowing a knot or so the last hour.We still have about 5 other vessels visible.Thanks to every one in Las Palmas: Rolnautic, the local rigger, the Yanmar shop, dive shop, fishing shop, Cortes Inglés, Hyper Dino, all taxi drivers and all the restaurants we frequented.Also thanks to the yellow shirt, whom we will meet again on the other side.Can't wait to the steel band extravaganza.BeetleN26.15, W17.01. read more...