Altair - YB Connect Message from Clinton Bolton

Hello from the Atlantic Time Zone! ALTAIR is having a good sail today after a rough night with big swell and squalls. We have recovered from yesterday's breakdown, where we managed to tear the port spinnaker halyard block attachment off the mast, and are back on track with the A3 kite up. After a week gybing downwind, we have caught our shift and are sailing the rhumbline to St. Lucia. The speed over ground is topping out at 12 knots, and the finishing time bets have been placed. Happy Thanksgiving to the Yanks at sea. I'm off to eat my slice of Turducken!--Transmitted by Clinton Bolton using YB Connect (www.ybtracking.com). read more...

Altair - YB Connect Message from Clinton Bolton

S/Y ALTAIR: We are on approach to Mindelo, Cabo Verdes, with an ETA of 1900 local time. Still no fish, but we are hopeful the waters around the islands will provide before we make landfall. There hasn't been enough wind to convince us to shut off the engine and attempt to sail. The two meter northerly swell persist. Must be breezy somewhere... just not for us.--Transmitted by Clinton Bolton using YB Connect (www.ybtracking.com). read more...

Altair - YB Connect Message from Clinton Bolton

ARC+ day 3 aboard ALTAIR: we have succumbed to the light winds and two meter swell, and are motoring southwest in search of wind, fish, and eventually islands. The mood onboard is relaxed, after the initial hesitation at having to start the iron genny. Board games have broken out, fishing lines are deployed, and the galley is active with big plans after a few nights of limited fare. We are surviving well.--Transmitted by Clinton Bolton using YB Connect (www.ybtracking.com). read more...

Altair - YB Connect Message from Clinton Bolton

SY Altair is sailing at 10+ knots down the Saharan coast under spinnaker.Two sailors are in the bridge watching the boat gliding over wave tops and surfing down into troughs while three more sailors are doing a yoga session in the salon.N 24*31.71' W 16*34.83' --Transmitted by Clinton Bolton using YB Connect (www.ybtracking.com). read more...

Altair - ARC + Preparations - Day (-1)

SY Altair crew are making last minute preparation for the start of 2017 ARC + tomorrow, Sunday November 5.  ​   Van loads of provisions are arriving to the dock on this mostly cloudy day with rain bursts.  As crew stows the food "blurt" "blurt" sounds of divers bubbles can be heard inside the boat as the hull is being cleaned.  The author of this blog is about to ascend the 35 meter mast armed with wipe cloths, tape, some wrenches and a watchful eye for anything loose.     With full fridges and a clean bottom Altair will be ready to have a good fast start with strong pressure tomorrow.  The heavy winds will favor this heavy boat for the next couple days before the winds lighten and we will all see how the remainder of the voyage shapes. read more...