Friday, July 2, 2004

Enjoy the latest batch of photos from Nordhavn Atlantic Rally 2004. Remember, this a weblog, thus, posts appear with the last one first. If you haven't stopped by recently, go back a few days by clicking the calendar at right. To start at the very beginning, go to May 12. 8:41:15 PM    comment []

Quote of the day on the VHF by John Spencer aboard the Nordhavn 40 Uno Mas: "It was like the boat was standing on its stern. I saw only air, no water." Photo by Ken Williams aboard Sans Souci. 8:24:15 PM    comment []

"A blast" is how John and Sue Spencer, owners of Uno Mas, the smallest boat in the rally fleet, described the entire rally experience, including the rough last night in the final approach to Gib. Read their full story, and the accounts of other rally participants, in the fall edition of the new magazine Power Cruising. See links at right under About the Magazines for information about Power Cruising and to request a free copy. If you wish to receive the next edition of Circumnavigator, in which the rallly will be featured in a comprehensive manner, send your name and address to info@nordhavn.com 8:18:52 PM    comment []

Out in the open strait, anemometers start reading 35 to 40 knots, with higher gusts, as the Nordhavn 62 Grey Pearl shoulders her way toward Gib. Smaller boats feel the weather even more, but shouts of "Yahoo!" can be heard on the VHF. Skippers and crews have been seasoned by close to 4,000 nautical miles of open ocean. Photo by Ken Williams aboard Sans Souci. 8:12:05 PM    comment []

When wind speed reaches 30 knots, spray begins to coat the pilothouse windows on Goleen, accompanied by occasional green water. Chris Samuelson steers his Nordhavn toward the Spanish coast, aiming to get out of the worst weather that is centered in the strait. On the VHF, he urges other to follow his lead. 8:06:26 PM    comment []

Red sky in morning . . . Dawn breaks to reveal the Spanish coast and a headwind that is gaining in velocity as we approach Gibraltar. 7:58:05 PM    comment []

The last sunset at sea is pleasant enough, with just a slight kick in the sea hinting at the nastiness to come. 5:12:16 PM    comment []

There is only one target being reported by AIS in the above photograph but by the time we approached the Strait of Gibraltar, as many as 14 ships and ferries were criss-crossing ahead and behind us at one time, keeping Chris Samuelson aboard Goleen busy, first, in communication with the ships, then, in advising the rally boats as to who was heading where. Goleen is the only yacht in the rally with the new Automatic Identification System. For more in AIS, go http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/enav/ais/default.htm 5:07:38 PM    comment []

At 90 feet, the Monk-McQueen custom Crosser was the largest boat in the fleet, as well as being the most friendly and hospitable. Owners David Stone and Sandy Howarth love their boat, and they love sharing it. 12:30:18 PM    comment []

It was wonderful to run on Leg 3 with two Nordhavn 62s, Sans Souci and Grey Pearl, the trawler yachts that best exemplify--at least, in my mind's eye--what a genuine passagemaker should look like. 12:22:24 PM    comment []

It was Jon Ehly's lure, but I kissed it before letting the line out, and I brought the fish in, so I'd like to take full credit for the bonita tuna that Jon shows off. Alas, it wasn't sashimi grade, but after a 24-hour marinade in soya and olive oil, it made for fine eating. 12:18:04 PM    comment []

Bransom Bean continues to stand . . . er, sit watches aboard Goleen despite a foot injury received during the group swim in mid-passage. 12:09:18 PM    comment []

From Les Levy, a weblog visitor Commenting on: http://radio.weblogs.com/0137829/2004/05/27.html#a81 I was aboard the 43'sailboat in the picture (taken in Fort Lauderdale at the rally start). We were turning south out of the inlet for a week in the Keys. What an incredible sight to see all those salty looking trawlers heading out Port Everglades! I had read about your Atlantic Rally so I knew what I was seeing and what perfect timing it was for me. I wish all captains and crew fair weather and clear sailing, uh...motoring. When I'm old enough, I plan to sell my sailboat and purchase one of those Nordhavens for myself (I'm only 58 yrs old now). 12:05:41 PM    comment []