Gone Native - ARC log

24//11/08 15:00 GMTAnd now begins the much belated log...After a frantic last few days spent stowing gear and provisions, S/V Gone Native set forth while proudly playing the theme song from Gilligan's Island yesterday afternoon. The start was exciting, complete with a brass band and throngs of well-wishers both lining the docks and afloat in various small craft. We watched the big boys start with their spinnakers flying (that's the last we'll see of them until the after-party (of which they'll probably have had several before we even arrive) and then followed shortly thereafter. After the thrill of finally starting we settled rapidly into routine shipboard chores and the division of the crew into various watches. Dave Harris explicitly wishes to have mentioned the fact that he prepared a. read more...

Gone Native - The journey continues...

The journey continues...Winds off the coast of Africa remain unreasonably light, which is holding our speed down somewhat. We set the spinnaker this AM, which helps somewhat. At least the weather is clear and generally beautiful. Another boat appears on the horizon every so often. Some are sailboats headed in obscure directions. Others are tankers and freighters. Their destination remains a mystery (except for some of the larger ships which have autoidenfication systems that we can query, thereby ascertaining things such as their speed, heading, nationality and destination). Currently, the plan is to head south until we get nearer the Cabo Verde archipelago. Then we'll head west on what we hope to be somewhat stronger trade winds. There's funky weather on the rhumb line between the. read more...

Gone Native - ARC Blog

Continuing with the meal-oriented theme of the log, we "suffered" through breaded chicken with garlic and pasta (pasta y pollo con ajo quemado, for those so inclined) last night. We still want fish, however. No love in that department today. Also, we're busy planning our Thanksgiving feast for tomorrow (I think it's tomorrow). We'll be complete with Thanksgiving-oriented plates, napkins and the like. It should be a feast. We'll see what our Swedish crew thinks!If I didn't mention it already, we passed a pod of whales yesterday immediately after setting the spinnaker. They were far enough away that we couldn't really see the animals, but their spouts were clearly visible about a half-mile off the bow. The spinnaker has really helped our speed. The sail is stable and stays full even in. read more...

Gone Native - ARC Blog

Ship's Log: 27 November, 2008 (Thanksgiving)Good news! After three days of floating relatively aimlessly, the wind filled in somewhat last night and we're now averaging 6-6.5 knots boatspeed once again. We may make it across after all prior to running out of food (the beer is already gone but the captain reassures us that we have plenty rum). The plan is still to run SW until the vicinity of the Cape Verde Islands and then the follow the wind as it clocks us to the west. That way, hopefully, we'll be able to avoid the currently light and adverse wind conditions situated over the "more usual" route.Basil tree report: the patient is stable although intensive monitoring continues. No new limbs have arisen but the existing ones appear vital and strong. More later.Last night filled us with a. read more...

Gone Native - Day 8 log

Ship's Log: 30 November 2008, 1200 GMT, 17.40N 26.40WOur basil plant, now named Jenny, suffers grievously. Growth appears not to be an issue. We would gladly settle for the status quo at this point, if she would just survive the crossing. The same can not be said for a pair of flying fish that ended up aboard over the night. They now have names, "Talisman" and "Joey" and hang from their tails in ever deepening rigor over the cockpit. The boys seem unaware of their eventual fate, as those with more common sense on the crew fear the effects of the tropical sun on their corrupt flesh. For the time being, however, we eat our meals accompanied by the gentle swaying of fishes above us.There's nothing new in the mutiny department. The boys seem happy naming their collection of fishing lures and. read more...