Happy Morning - ARC Log - Day One, 22/11/2010

What a fantastic send off. I chose to leave just as the marching band came up to Happy Moring on the pontoon. As we slipped the mooring they stopped and saw us out, along with many friends and family and a host of other well wishers. There was the band, people cheering, horns and klaxons going, and a general carnival in full flight. We motored out behind some bigguns, a Challenger 72 and other wonderful lean machines. We had a great start, clear air and kite up and pulling. Sailing away from the committee boat, which was a Spanish warship, we passed by three fire shipe with all their hoses going - I did offer the crew a last minute shower but they declined. Our Swedish friend fromj the 60 footer rung from the prom and wished us luck. And then we were on our way, big kite and full main in. read more...

Happy Morning - ARC2010 Log - Day Four - 24/11/2010

The wind dropped overnight and this morning we had no wind for a while. Our 24hr progress has subsequenlty suffered. At present we have 2-5kn and we are moving again. its hotter and today we have had the first showers on deck with buckets of seawater. It was colder than expected, but lovely and refreshing after the first bucket. Suncream, swimwear, and hats are the dress order.At daybreak we swapped the Asymetric for the repaired large Spinnaker, and once it set the repair dosnt look at all bad. Great job by Mick Rich. Not sure if the sail is properly repairable or not though, but at least its pulling. Hope we dont get any more spinaker damage as most of our repair material is now used up.Still having power issues. This morning I switched all instrumentation off and we are running the. read more...

Happy Morning - ARC 2010 - Day Five!

Christmas is only a month away. Strange to be out here knowing in a month I'll be in the snow. All great on board. Everyone trying to keep the old bus on track and moving as quick as poss.Position is 21 26.699N 020 41.070W, 203 Miles WWN of Nouadhibou Mauritania.Wind has picked up to picked up to 8-11kn NW true. Sea state calm/smooth with building long swell. Mackerel sky (not long dry?) at about 3/10 cover. SOG 6kn avg. sailing faily close hauled // to track at steering about 245-250. Pressure 1012mb. No rain, humid, 70% on the hygro temp 24 below deck. Overnight there was a fair bit of mist on the horison at times. Happy Morning is creaming along under number 1 genoa and full main, the angle of heel not to bad yest but we will have to fix up Mick R's leecloth as he keeps falling out of. read more...

Happy Morning - One Week in!

One week in! its gone pretty fast actually. We have a busy routing, and each day bring different weather of a new challenge. What a difference a day makes. Today the wind has been building and seas too. We have been bashing to weather re aclimatising to life at 45 degrees again. Its difficult to do things and holding on and watching out to avoid treading on ropes below is key. Mick R seems to have resolved the power issue we hope. At least the windgen has been pumping in all day and both batteries are full so no need to run the gen or engine today. We are still keeping all but vital electrical equipment switched off. I think some bigger boats caught the breeze to the west and north of us before we did, but we are still jogging along, number 1 genoa and 1 reef in the main, heading as. read more...

Happy Morning - Week 2 - Getting Fun Now!

Well, after a very tough night, strong winds, sickness, boat is a mess down below and we are still crunching to windward through big seas. Its a total depravation zone at night now, no ambient light at all. So all of you who think you can sail blindfolded, you might have to one day!Yesterday pm we rigged the emergency forestay and battened happy Morning down for the night. Good job too!   All ok,. just getting a little beat up! Boat fine. Wet everywhere and back to paddling in the heads as water finds its way in through every nook and cranny. Then, Dawn breaks and wind has moderated slightly. We unroll some genny and a while later have shaken out the reef. We are still punching waves and swells so our numbers are not that great. Mick R is working on the freshwater pump and. read more...