Monday, September 19, 2016
Sunday, May 15, 2016
hi franks
http://accessoripermobili.classica.didieffe.com/rising.php?race=ch1ze51nb3rr3
barbara gladney
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Plans and Changes
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Captain's Log Oct 25, 2010 #8
Today was exactly like the last 3 except maybe a little less wind if that is possible. Oh well makes no difference because we are now tucked into the Marina in Bundaberg, Australia. We are pretty excited about being here. As soon as we clear customs we will go ashore and have a Beer with all our mates that made the crossing with us. The boat and us are in great shape and all is well. I will continue the updates when we head back to sea again in about a week and a half.
Time : 1030 eastern Australian time
Position: 24 54 S, 152 23 E
Bundaberg Marina
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Saturday, October 23, 2010
Captain's log October 24, 2010 #7
If you got to go across an ocean do it when there is a full moon. That's what we have tonight and the moon couldn't be more bright. I could almost turns off our nav lights it is so bright. I really need to make it a rule and only do long passages when there is a full moon. Where is my Farmer's Almanac? As you can tell there is nothing new to report. We are getting close and we have had another great passage for the season. Really looking forward to getting to spend time in Australia. Have always wanted to travel here so now we can spend as much time as we want. That's all for now.
Time : 0200 eastern Australian time
Position: 23 52 S, 155 52 E
Boat Speed: 6.20 kts Course :260 T
Waves: 1 mtr direction E
Wind : 6 kts ENE
Distance to go: 204 nm
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Friday, October 22, 2010
Captain's Log Oct 23 ,2010 #6
I know that some of you reading this log would like to read about some monster storm hitting us . How we hung on and survived but all ended well. Sorry to disappoint but this passage is about as mundane as it gets. From our perspective we love it but it doesn't make good reading. Another 12 hours have passed since I last wrote and nothing has changed except the wind is lighter now. The sky is blue and the sea is calm and as blue as the sky. Great way to spend your Saturday. We are right on schedule for our ETA in Bundaberg Monday noon. If the winds return we will be able to get there sooner. All is well with Destiny and her crew this beautiful day in the Coral Sea.
Time : 1200 eastern Australian time
Position: 23 39 S, 157 29 E
Boat Speed: 6.0 kts Course :260 T
Waves: 1 mtr direction E
Wind : 6 kts ENE
Distance to go: 293 nm
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Captain's Log Oct 22,2010 #5
The day ended pretty much the way it started. Winds continued to decrease and around 2pm we finally had to start the engine and motor sail. It makes for a pretty boring day but I guess we would rather have this than a full gale with huge seas . Nothing has changed on the boat all systems working and the crew is happy and healthy. Half way to Oz.
Time : 2300 eastern Australian time
Position: 23 29 S, 158 41 E
Boat Speed: 5.5 kts Course :260 T
Waves: 1 mtr direction ESE
Wind : 8 kts ENE
Distance to go: 360 nm
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
Captain's Log Oct 22, 2010 #4
Have now completed the first 48 hours and all is well. The weather is grey and overcast with occasional rain showers. Wind has really died down but we are able to still sail and make decent time. The seas have been too rough to fish so I have elected to stay in the cockpit, maybe tomorrow. Today is a good day to stay in and read a book. Will get back with this evening.
Time : 1100 eastern Australian time
Position: 23 16 S, 160 14 E
Boat Speed: 6.5 kts Course :260 T
Waves: 2 mtr direction SE
Wind : 13 kts ESE
Distance to go: 449 nm
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Captain's LOg Oct 21,2010 #3
Our second day has been good but not as fast as the first day. The waves are catching us on our port side and rolling the boat. A little uncomfortable but we have had worse. We have not had to start the main engine which says a lot about the sailing conditions. Early afternoon we poled out the jib and at about 10 tonight we took the main in. winds are almost directly behind us. Without the main the boat rolls more but our speed has increased. All in all a great day to be sailing the South Pacific. Boat is working great ,no mechanical issues, and crew is happy.
Time : 2358 eastern Australian time
Position: 23 05 S, 161 28 E
Boat Speed: 7 kts Course :260 T
Waves: 2 mtr direction SE
Wind : 15 kts ESE
Distance to go: 511 nm
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Captain's Log October 21 2010
Time : 0800 eastern Australian time
Position: 22 47 S, 163 21 E
Boat Speed: 6.5 kts Course :260 T
Waves: 2 mtr direction SE
Wind : 15 kts SE
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Captain's Log October 20 2010
Time : 0900 oct 20 GMT
Position: 22 57 S, 162 22 E
Boat Speed: 8.5 kts Course :260 T
Waves: 2 mtr direction SE
Wind : 18 kts SE
Miles to go: 715 nm
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Sunday, May 9, 2010
Final Captain's Log New Zealand - Fiji- 2010
Status- Our position is 16 46 S, 179 19 E, At anchor , Savusavu, Fiji.
Day 8 - We had a very slow last day heading into Savusavu . About lunch time the wind died off but we continued to sail (4 knots was fast). If we had turned the motor on we could have made quick work of the remaining miles. However you know the story on the engine . We were not sure how long it would operate so we wanted to save it for our last few miles.
Another cruiser who had been in here before took the lead when we entered the bay to get into the area we were headed. Without their help there is no way we could have found where we were going. To add a little spice to the whole thing in this area there are no channel markers or other nav markers to guide you. So if I had it to do all over again I would never come in here in the dark especially one of the darkest night I can ever remember.
We got the anchor down after the second try and we finshed our day and our passage to Fiji at about 2355 (5 mins till midnight). Miller Time! Other than the motor problem it was a perfect passage.
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Friday, May 7, 2010
Captain's log May 8, 2010, S/V Destiny
Status- Our position is 19 17 S, 179 33 E, speed over ground 7 kts, sailing. Heading 001, Wind is 15-20 kts from the E. Sea state- waves 1.5 mtrs with the swell out of the E.
Day 7 - Sorry about being late with this report but it is Saturday and I slept in a little. Not a lot to report new . we are now heading due north and in another 100 miles we will turn west and head to Savu Savu. We have 2 reefs in the jib and 2 in the main doing 7 kts . Pretty exciting.
We have now gone 5.5 days with out starting the engine. I know there are some of you out there that don't understand this is such a big deal. It is a sail boat and aren't you suppose to be sailing it all the time? Here's the deal, when we are on an off hore passage ,like this one, our number one goal is to get it done as quick as possible. You don't want to be hanging around out in the Tasman Sea waiting for a good wind and get hit by a big storm.. So, when our speed drops below 6 kts we are turning on the engine and motor sailing or take all the sails down and just motor. Last year on 3 main passages we probably motored 70% of the time. On our passage from New Cal to New Zealand we only sailed ½ day out of 8. This is a big treat for us and because we can't use our engine it is even more of a blessing.
That's about it from Fiji. Will talk more tomorrow.
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Thursday, May 6, 2010
Captain's Log May 7 2010 , S/V Destiny
Status- Our position is 22 37 S, 179 54 E, speed over ground 7 kts, sailing. Heading 002, Wind is 20-25 kts from the E. Sea state- waves 2 mtrs with the swell out of the E.
Day 6 - I probably need to explain the reporting method I'm using . The status and date are of the day I do the report . I am reporting on the previous 24hrs on the boat. I kept looking at what I posted and it seemed that it was a little confusing. Hope that helps.
I last reported that we were within 24 hours of going into Minerva Reef. Just after I sent that, Captain and crew, had a meeting and it was decided it would not make good sense to try to get into Minerva. The biggest reason was that we don't know how long our engine will last before we have to shut it down I really didn't want to get half way in the reef passage with winds blowing 35 kts and lose the engine. The next part of our decision was that the winds were going to continue to blow out of the east for the next 3 days and then most likely get calm. So, if we decided to turn and head to Fiji now we would most likely be able to sail the whole way. At 9:15 AM we let several of the other boats know we were turning toward Fiji and that we would see them another day. We are very disappointed to not be able to make it to this very special spot in the South Pacific.
For our new wind angle it set us up for a very fast ride. Wind continued from the east but the waves have also increased in size. I would estimate we had waves in the 5-6 mtr size. Because of all the tossing and turning it has been impossible to cook meals We eat snack food during the day but to tell you the truth neither of us are all that hungry.
When we finally get to Fiji , 9 days at sea, it will be our second longest passage since leaving home, Our longest passage was from Mexico to French Polynesia. It will also be the first time since we started sailing 2 yrs ago that we have gone 4 straight dayswith out using the engine. Up until this time the best we had ever done was 2 days in a row. So there you have it. All is well on board and we are looking forward to the warm beaches of Fiji. Bula!
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Wednesday, May 5, 2010
captain's Log May 5,2010
Day 5- Status- Our position is 25 11 S,179 49 W, speed over ground 4.5 kts, sailing. Heading 045, Wind is 25-30 kts from the EsE. Sea state- waves 3 mtrs with the swell out of the E.
We are now into our last 24 hrs sailing before reaching Minerva Reef. We have slowed the boat way down because we don't want to arrive at the reef in the dark. This speed will get us there at first light Friday. As you can tell by the boat status above the sea state has changed a good bit. To keep our speed down we have just a tiny bit of the jib out (sail at the front of the boat) and the main about a third out and centered to keep us from rolling. That helps a little but not much. Wish we were able to get there today but not gona happen.
With the boat pitching and rolling like it is you can't walk around very well so if your off watch you are laying down taking a nap or reading , no volleyball today on the poop deck. All is well just a little tired and ready to be there. You know I would love to write more but need to get top side for air.
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Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Captain's Log May 4, 2010
Day 4- Status- Our position is 27 21 S,179 10 E, speed over ground 6.5 kts, sailing. Heading 010, Wind is 15 kts from the ENE. Sea state- waves 1.5 mtrs with the swell out of the NE.
Another very good day of sailing. We had just about an hour where the winds went dead on us. Otherwise we have been making great progress. At about 3am this morning the 5th the winds started to move more East and even East North East. We are hoping that as the day progresses the winds will shift back to the SE . If they don't it will make for a long hard day of sailing into the wind. They call that Beating. The name fits because it really beats you and the boat up.
You will be happy to know we had no major mechanical problems and everything is working the way it should. We did try out the engine and did a little motoring. There was no noise coming from the shaft . We are fairly certain that we can use the engine to power thru reef openings and while in port . Thanks to good winds we have not really needed the engine so, life is good.
At our current speed the trip computer has us getting to Minerva reef around 5 pm on Thursday. We will be cutting it real close because you want good light when you go thru the pass so you can see the reef. If we are slowed down and can't get in on Thursday we will head away from the reef and wait till first light on Friday. That's about it from here . We are both feeling great the weather is turning warmer and we are settling into the passage.
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Monday, May 3, 2010
captains log day 3 May 4,2010
Day 3- Status- Our position is 29 25 S,177 46 E, speed over ground 5 kts, sailing. Heading 050, Wind is 8-9 kts from the SSE. Sea state- waves 2 mtrs with swell out of the SE.
Yesterday was a good day for sailing until about 8 PM. Wind died and we had to slow way down and go off our course (rumb line). As I mentioned yesterday we have a mechanical problem with the prop shaft. We have now found out the engine needs a new CV joint (a short piece of shaft between the engine and the prop shaft). Island Packet is going to get the part for us and ship it to Fiji so I can install it. We are still working on the details of Where in Fiji. It is good to know what the problem is but in the mean time we have to use the engine only when necessary. So, no motor sailing , we are totally at the mercy of the wind Gods. If you noticed on our status above the wind has died and is out of the South. We will have to work the boat to go where we want to go. We will get there it will just take a little longer. Such is life on the high seas. Barbara and I are doing great and other than our shaft problem the boat is great. We are still planning on going to Minerva Reef but we probably will not get there now until Friday unless the winds really get strong and move to the East. Been a long night I am off to bed.
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Sunday, May 2, 2010
Captain log May3,2010
Day 2- Status- Our postion is 31 24 S,176 11 E, speed over ground 6 kts, motor sailing. Heading 018, Wind is 5-7 from the ESE. Sea state- waves 2 mtrs with swell out of the East.
Had a good day sailing and all was well until about 2:30 AM . Wind came to a dead halt. Seas went flat so that was good. When we turned the motor on we had some load knocking noises coming from the Main thrust bearing. Not to get too technical but this piece of equipment takes the forces that the propeller creates to move the boat in the water and transfers that power to the hull of the boat. Not a lot we can do out here about that so will have to make do. If the wind will come back up we can sail and not worry about it. It is only an issue if we have to use the engine. I will call the people at Island Packet tomorrow and ask them for a solution. For right now we have to live with the problem and hope it doesn't get worse. The weather has been great and we are sailing about 90% of the time. We are currently 488 miles from Minerva reef. Should arrive Thursday morning.
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Saturday, May 1, 2010
Captain's Log May 2,2010
Day 1- Status- Our postion is 33 22 S,174 51 E, speed over ground 7 kts, heading 040, Wind is 15 -20 from the SSW. Sea state- waves 2 -3 mtrs with swell out of the south.
We left Opua on Saturday morning at 1115 and headed in a northerly direction toward Fiji. We have been sailing the entire way which is very special. Seas are pretty lumpy but at least we are sailing. In our watery world this is a great first day. Before we get to Fiji we are going to stop at a reef out here in the middle of the ocean. It is one of those places that if you get to the South Pacific you have to spend 2 or 3 days there. As long as our weather stays good we will become one of the very few people in the world that have experienced Minerva Reef (look it up). So after 1 day all is well and we have completed about 150 miles which is a very good day for a sailor.
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Monday, April 19, 2010
Captain's Log April 16,2010
As you have noticed I have been away and have not done much in the way of updates. It is now time to get started again. In about 2 weeks we will head out to Fiji from the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. It has really been an exciting time for us this off season here in New Zealand.
We started our time ashore by flying home for a couple of weeks during Thanksgiving. We told everyone that we would fly into Virginia and stay with my sister and Barb's brother. Eeveryone made it out to see us except Bill , my son, who could not get away from work. It was a great time seeing our families and catching up on what's happening in the world. After a couple weeks home we flew back to New Zealand and began a journey of seeing the country by boat. After about 6 weeks of cruising in and out of little harbours and bays down the east coast we parked the boat in Auckland and headed, by air, to the South Island.
We teamed up with another cruising couple, Marsha and Earl May, and spent 30 days land cruising by car. There were 3 high points for me. A cruise thru the Doughtful Sound. A breathtaking trip made even more special by the fact that there are probably only 60 days in the whole year when the weather is clear and you can see the tops of the mountains . We got to experience one of those days. My next place of interest was Hayes Hardware store in Invercargill. This is the home to Burt Monro who held the fastest motorcycle records at the Bonneville Salt Flats for many years. You might remember the movie "The Fastest Indian". If you haven't seen it rent it, great true story and Anthony Hopkins looks and acts exactly like old Burt, so the locals say. I digress, the motorc ycles are pretty cool but the real treat is the hardware store. They had everything you could ever wish for in a hardware store. I felt like Tim the Tool Man in hardware heaven. The girls were not that impressed but Earl and I could have spent a whole day there. My next place was the Speights Brewery in Dunedin. What more do I need to say. Take the tour and belly up to the bar.
After a month on the South Island we came back to Auckland to do a quick check on the boat and then off to a wedding in Sri Lanka. In our first season cruising we met Andy and Melissa on Spectacle. They had invited us to their wedding and it was going to be hosted by the Sri Lankan Cricket Team in Sri Lanka. That would be like having the New York Yankees host your wedding in the US. It is a very long story
how Andy and Melisa became friends with these guys but it happened and we ended up going to the wedding. What an event! I have been to a good many weddings in my day but nothing could equal this. Five days of food and party. What a terrific time was had by all and it was amazing to see 90 people, friends and family, from all over the world show up. In addition to the wedding Barbara and I stayed 4 days in Kula Lumpur, Malasia and 3 days in Melbourn Australia. You couldn't be in 3 more diverse cultures than those 3 places. That brings us to the end of March and back to the boat.
For Easter we had the great fortune to be invited to stay with Billie and Grant at their Beach house . To get there it would be a 4 hour trip by car but we did it by air. Grant happens to own a helicopter so it only took us 30 minutes to get there. Billie did all the design work and had the house built. When she showed the plans to Grant he said he looked at them and thought all the measurements were in feet but found out later they were all in yards. What a beautiful home overlooking Opita Bay on the Coromandel of New Zealand. It is one of those homes with a great big front porch that you can sit on and watch the ocean and never get tired of doing so. What great friends we will really miss them.
After the Easter weekend we got a few things done on the boat (a leaky toilet ugh, and a salt water leak on the generator). Everything was now in order and we headed to Whangerei Harbor for provisions and then up to Opua in the Bay of Islands to wait on good weather to head to Fiji.
It has been a fast 6 months and we have seen and done more than we intended. As we get ready to leave New Zealand we leave behind some truly great friends and we hope to some day come back to visit . For now we must move on we have only covered about a third of our route with many more miles to go.
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