Viva - Log day 14 - Miracles and Mourning

It has been an exciting couple of days down the homestretch aboard Viva.Best I think to get the bad news out of the way first.Today we are mourning the loss of a beloved friend and compatriot.Hugo, our affectionately named Autohelm 7000, decided in the wee hours of this morning, while battling large swells and a heavily rolling Viva, that he had simply had enough.A trusty friend who guided us safely across thousands of miles of ocean, Hugo will be sorely missed.After performing a postmortem, we discovered that the connection between the linear drive and the rudder had snapped in two.While we haven't yet ruled out the possibility of a repair in the Azores, it looks like it is back to basics for the rest of the trip.I usually enjoy a couple of hours behind the wheel, except of course when. read more...

Viva - Log Day 5 - Slow Sailing and Slow Food

Greetings from Viva!After a lovely start to Leg 2 in picturesque St. George Harbor, Bermuda, we find ourselves lagging towards the back of the fleet on the journey to the Azores. In spite of our position, spirits and morale are quite high on Viva. After sailing on a course of about 120° for the first 4 days (the closest heading we could hold to the Azores in this prevalent NorthEast wind), we are now on a starboard tack and holding a course of at least 10° North. The hope is that we will eventually find the prevailing Westerlies that will whisk us to the Azores before reaching Newfoundland. The slow pace of sailing, though, has enabled us to treat our stomachs quite well in the beginning of this journey. With accomplished chefs from Germany (Skipper Petra), Italy (Giulia), and then the. read more...

Viva - Log Day 9 - Wind Up Wind Down, Sail In Sail Out

Greetings from Viva!The past four days have shown us the advantages of having the right amount of wind from the right direction and of having a working engine.Due to some contrary winds, we have alternately experienced the best sailing of the leg so far along side hours of listening to the drone of the diesel lull us into a motor stupor.However, when the wind has decided to grace our presence, it has been from behind, the position that Viva likes best.A few days ago, while running on a nice broad reach, Viva hit her personal best on this leg, with a top speed of 8.4 knots.Moments before sitting down to write this entry, we set up the whisker pole for the first time since leaving Bermuda, and are now flying wing-to-wing, taking advantage of a WSW 10-15 knot breeze that is currently. read more...

Viva - Final Farewell

Greetings from Viva!I must apologize for the delay of this log, which will be the final installment of B´s Deep Thoughts aboard Viva. Compared to life at sea, where time seems to be a limitless resource, the hours spent on land pass like seconds. One minute we´re taking on fuel upon arrival, and the next thing I know three days have flown by.So I guess I just gave away the ending, but.... VIVA MADE IT! For Petra this is the culmination of a journey that began with the ARC crossing of November 2007. 19 months and one circumnavigation later Viva is safely at rest for the moment in Lagos. Neptune and the Atlantic certainly made us work for our success right up to the very end. The final leg from Ponta Delgada to Lagos was, in a word, brutal. Strong winds and high seas right on the nose for. read more...

Viva - So Long Azores - Day 2, Leg 3

Ola from Viva!After 17 days, 30 minutes, and 42 seconds at sea, Viva safely tied up at the marina reception/custom dock in the port of Horta on the island of Faial on Saturday, June 6. After completing the necessary immigration paperwork, refueling (having coasted in on basically diesel fumes), and most importantly, scrubbing away two plus weeks at sea in as long a hot shower that you wanted, the crew of Viva hit the town looking fresh and clean and wobbly on our forgotten land-legs. Like any self-respecting sailor, our first stop of course was Peters Cafe Sport. Peter´s has been a watering hole and meeting place for sailors for more years than anyone on Viva can remember. We ate our first meal on dry land at Canto da Doca. This lively restaurant featured an unusual gimmick, you have to. read more...