Umatalu - log 13 Nov No wind fantastic cakes

Storming towards Las Palmas to make it before the famous "Dinghy race", but without wind. The cake and bread baking does benefit from the lack of wind, so does the accounts. Trying to make Turkish Lira, Euro, Sterling and Swedish Crowns mix together, where is that little piece of the paper bag from the market where the price was written?Why was the diesel cheaper than advertised? Did we really by 90L of UHT Milk and no special sweets for the skipper, who is doing the planning here.Water maker mended today with a hammer, this is possible because it is a French model said the anonyms crewmember, but it does produce EVIAN water direct in the tap now. If we just can repair the diesel maker, we might be able to motor the hole way to Las Palmas, don't want to miss the dinghy race.Hakan Norberg. read more...

Umatalu - log 22 nov spinnaker start, no sleep

This night I wished for a box to sleep in, just the right size for me, nowhere to move, soft sides smooth corners, a box, not a coffin but close. Instead I looked like Spiderman grabbing the corners of my bed, sliding from port to starboard inside my own skin. Maybe I have fill my skin suit out a bit.Spinnaker came down after the show off, and main came down after the accidental gibe. Lucky so far nothing broke more than the self-confidence.I would love a deck mounted light facing upwards, to lit the spinnaker Where are all the yachts, no one around us, is this really the right way?Hakan on s/y Umatalu 23 Non 2009. read more...

Umatalu - log 23 nov learn to steer

We are slowly learning to steer downwind, It take a lot of practice onboard here, and just a few of us have done it before in seas like this. We are sailing an traditional rigged IOR yacht and today we sailwith twin genoas poled out on each side. To day we have learned that we need an open slot between the sails to minimise the rolling effect. Nature has also showed us how gravity works. From now on we will always pour the wine lengthwise and never place our cutlery on the plate JHakan on s/y Umatalu rolling towards the sunsettwin-headsails. read more...

Umatalu - log 25 Nov Fish finaly

Nothing really happens for the last 48h and then....One spinnaker halyard block brakes, Free flying out pooled genoa in the water, all hand on deck to save the sail, then a fish on the hook, hoist sail again in new halyard and at the same time a new fish on the hook, and all this within 20min at 6 a clock in the morning. Fantastic lunch with very fresh fish, 90% of the crew is full and happy.. read more...

Umatalu - log 26 Nov "TUNA"

A big Tuna broke the rod, a really big fight started. To get the fish onboard, doing 9 knots is not a big help when trying to land big catch. Finish SISU solved the matter. We were rewarded with, Cheviche, Sashimi and Tuna steak. Fantastically fresh. Smiles everywhere. Speed is slow but the deck is stable.Hakan on s/y Umatalutuna-juha. read more...