Kittiwake - An Adventure

There is a saying: 'do something each day that scares you'. Why would you want to do that, I have asked myself? I had never even stepped on board a yacht until July 1st 2009 and yet here I am in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and 1150 miles into the ARC (plus having accrued 2,500 miles before setting sail on this tremendous voyage). Am I mad? My family thought so until I explained how well organised the ARC is and that there are 226 boats crossing this year, all of which set off together on November 22nd from Las Palmas to St. Lucia. Now they think what a wonderful adventure it is for me.An adventure is certainly what it is; being out in the middle of the ocean with nothing on the horizon for days at a time is surreal and amazingly calming and peaceful, so wonderful to be away from the. read more...

Kittiwake - Log Day 0 - The Safety Check

"I am here to help, not to tick boxes" was Chris' opening remark. This was a good start in my view as we had just completed 6500 miles to get to Las Palmas and I considered Kittiwake well found on the safety front. In fact, I think I resented the check as being a criticism of my personal responsibilities as owner/skipper of the vessel. The next 15 minutes were spent ticking boxes - buckets with lanyards, throwing lines, pump handles, fire extinguishers and blankets, life jackets, flares, life raft etc - of course I have them! "Does that emergency tiller fit on the rudder stock?" Now that was a good question, I have never tried it. "Might be a good thing to try before setting off, might save some embarrassment later if you need it" A good point, we did and it does, but at least now we. read more...

Kittiwake - Launching the Lures

Dear all we are gathered here today at the aft end of the boat for the inaugural launch of the lure - may I introduce you to Dave the Diver and the kids..more of them later!Ok best to start at the beginning and set the scene. My sailing experience extends to a few jolly jaunts in the Solent and an earlier but nonetheless unforgettable incident involving a windsurfer and a Greek Ferry, the ferry won and I swam back towing the remains of my windsurfer - (my helming skills had not previously been discussed at my interview with Tim, Kittiwake’s owner!). My fishing experience is also limited to a faint memory of fly fishing with my Grandfather in some Scottish stream at the age of nine an experience far removed from the seas of the North Atlantic.Hopefully, you will therefore understand. read more...

Kittiwake - A Two Snicker Day

A Two Snicker Day'Tim, Tim, are you awake?' It was 01:30, I wasn't, but things change. 'The jib's twisted, can you come and see?' An offer I couldn't refuse. The jib was indeed twisted at the clew, but that was the least of our problems - the main sail was fully out with 40 knots of wind on the stern, screaming along at 9-10 knots, surfing and cork screwing, largely out of control. We furled the jib with the pole in situ, but couldn't reef the main with the strong wind and 3-4 metre seas breaking around us - so we held on tight for an hour till the storm died down, we survived.Our daily average had been increasing from 131 miles on Day 1 through to 175 miles, our record, after 10 days or so. In retrospect, I think we were starting to get greedy - thinking that 175 miles should be the. read more...