The weather has been exceptionally good. 7 days and 13 hours is better
than I ever thought. The other 2 Dutch entries, Nico Budel (Hayai) and
Kees Jan Lampe (La Promesse) came to see me in at the finish line
yesterday early in the morning at 04.08 hrs.
Today I will prepare the boat for the 450 miles to bring her back to
Lelystad.
I wish to thank to Collin Drummond and his team at RWYC for organizing
this great race. For the next edition I would like to suggest to have a
seperate class for single handers.
donderdag 30 juni 2011
dinsdag 28 juni 2011
Quiet night
Yesterday evening Home of Jazz passed the edge of the continental shelf.
Disturbed seas for a number of hours. As always fisherman in this area,
with big ships and huge ligths. It was a good night for sailing
with just enough wind and beautiful clear skies and stars. The last
quiet night at sea for a while I'm afraid. Tomorrow we will be
approaching the Lizzard with more ships, fisherman, buoys and so on.
Early this morning (cold again, 12 degrees) I hoisted the Code Zero. It
will be close racing with Ntumbi and Merlin who both have a more
easterly position and have to point higher a bit higher. I can sail at
slightly better angles and use the Code Zero and perhaps the Gennaker
later, which might give me just the extra bit of speed to beat them.
Disturbed seas for a number of hours. As always fisherman in this area,
with big ships and huge ligths. It was a good night for sailing
with just enough wind and beautiful clear skies and stars. The last
quiet night at sea for a while I'm afraid. Tomorrow we will be
approaching the Lizzard with more ships, fisherman, buoys and so on.
Early this morning (cold again, 12 degrees) I hoisted the Code Zero. It
will be close racing with Ntumbi and Merlin who both have a more
easterly position and have to point higher a bit higher. I can sail at
slightly better angles and use the Code Zero and perhaps the Gennaker
later, which might give me just the extra bit of speed to beat them.
maandag 27 juni 2011
Ella
Do dolphins like music? Yes, I believe they do. Often they visit the
boat at the end of the day. During diner I played some old recordings of
performances by Ella and this immediately attracked a group of dolphins.
They stayed longer then usual, obviously to listen to the music. After
they were gone a second group of black/white dolphins came alongside to
enjoy the music. Dolphins have sharp ears and apparently a good taste.
Would they like the military music Mervyn plays at redicoulous volumes
during the prestart of any race ? I learned from his wife that at home
he is not allowed to play any of that music, so that is probably why he
goes to sea. I can assure you that they like Ella Fidzgerald. Try it
for yourself. Just download the album Get Happy by Ella Fidzgerald on
iTunes, go to sea, play Yellow Basket and have your cameras ready.
boat at the end of the day. During diner I played some old recordings of
performances by Ella and this immediately attracked a group of dolphins.
They stayed longer then usual, obviously to listen to the music. After
they were gone a second group of black/white dolphins came alongside to
enjoy the music. Dolphins have sharp ears and apparently a good taste.
Would they like the military music Mervyn plays at redicoulous volumes
during the prestart of any race ? I learned from his wife that at home
he is not allowed to play any of that music, so that is probably why he
goes to sea. I can assure you that they like Ella Fidzgerald. Try it
for yourself. Just download the album Get Happy by Ella Fidzgerald on
iTunes, go to sea, play Yellow Basket and have your cameras ready.
What else ?
After my little beauty sleep this morning I see that the sun's come
through now. Only sevens and eights on the display. What else could a
single handed sailor wish for? Except of course for good company, a hot
shower, a cold beer .. eh.. let me stop here. Being on your own for a week
perfectly makes clear what is really important and what you can do
without.
through now. Only sevens and eights on the display. What else could a
single handed sailor wish for? Except of course for good company, a hot
shower, a cold beer .. eh.. let me stop here. Being on your own for a week
perfectly makes clear what is really important and what you can do
without.
BRRRR
Air temperature only 11 deg C .. That wasn't mentioned in the Notice of
Race! The notherly breeze brought us cold rainy weather. Last night we
had more wind then I expected with 20 kts. A very dark night, with no
moon or stars. You could hardly see the water or the horizon, so it felt
like the boat is floating on nothing. Short waves, unsettled, the
powering in 20kts of breeze. Like being in a simulator of the
IJsselmeer. I stayed inside for most of the night.
There are not so many tactical options left. The wind will stay NNW
according to the forecast. But you never know.
Race! The notherly breeze brought us cold rainy weather. Last night we
had more wind then I expected with 20 kts. A very dark night, with no
moon or stars. You could hardly see the water or the horizon, so it felt
like the boat is floating on nothing. Short waves, unsettled, the
powering in 20kts of breeze. Like being in a simulator of the
IJsselmeer. I stayed inside for most of the night.
There are not so many tactical options left. The wind will stay NNW
according to the forecast. But you never know.
zondag 26 juni 2011
Gybed
It was a buzy night. After diner I changed from the small to the big
light gennaker. The Gribs forecasted Southerly 10-12 knots during the
night backing Westerly. We had for bundles of coulds coming over, some
with and some without wind in them. Very decent boatspeed and perhaps we
could overtake Ntumbi who is 10 miles ahead. And indeed, at 0200 I could
see a white light and at 0310 I had overtaken them. Just after
overtaking Ntumbi I started to prepare for the gybe. Gybing took an
hour! First the gennaker down. Then a stormround to avoid breaking
mainsail cars as I did in my last gybe. On port tack now I first had to
come around the stern of Ntumbi (so effectively I sailed around them,
sorry guys). Hoisted the gennaker but completely twisted. Took it
down again. Stowed it properly in a bag which gave a better result on
the second attempt to set the sail. After a small broach sudddenly in
18kts, things settled down and I could go in again.
light gennaker. The Gribs forecasted Southerly 10-12 knots during the
night backing Westerly. We had for bundles of coulds coming over, some
with and some without wind in them. Very decent boatspeed and perhaps we
could overtake Ntumbi who is 10 miles ahead. And indeed, at 0200 I could
see a white light and at 0310 I had overtaken them. Just after
overtaking Ntumbi I started to prepare for the gybe. Gybing took an
hour! First the gennaker down. Then a stormround to avoid breaking
mainsail cars as I did in my last gybe. On port tack now I first had to
come around the stern of Ntumbi (so effectively I sailed around them,
sorry guys). Hoisted the gennaker but completely twisted. Took it
down again. Stowed it properly in a bag which gave a better result on
the second attempt to set the sail. After a small broach sudddenly in
18kts, things settled down and I could go in again.
zaterdag 25 juni 2011
HOME OF JAZZ - DINER
Happy hour with Borrelnootjes an original Dutch delight, much
appreciated by visiting sailors. Then a proper starter Veloutes de
Legumes, followed by Tartiflette Savoyarde (ou-la-la) and as desert
Creme Chocolade (comme l'amour c'est fantastique). All of this with a
magnificent Ocean View and a decent 8 knots under gennaker at 150 TWA.
Just great!
appreciated by visiting sailors. Then a proper starter Veloutes de
Legumes, followed by Tartiflette Savoyarde (ou-la-la) and as desert
Creme Chocolade (comme l'amour c'est fantastique). All of this with a
magnificent Ocean View and a decent 8 knots under gennaker at 150 TWA.
Just great!
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