sy Timoneer

November 27, 2007 1200 UTC.
POSITION: 18 28.3’N 052 23.3’W
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 277 Nm
WIND: 20kt 065T
WEATHER: Clear Sunny

NEWS:
The first of the trade showers arrived last night as the air began to cool just after sunset. This was the first of a handful that overtook us during the night, rinsing the salt from the boat.

As morning broke the frequency of the showers decreased as the sun warmed the air. The breeze has picked up some from astern bringing the waves with it. The motion is still good with only the odd large wave rolling through from time to time.

Yesterday afternoon we caught one small dolphin and had one big run off. Unfortunately the leader broke at the hook as the fish was running out. It did provide quite a bit of excitement for the short time it spooled of line from the reel.

Jim Duhamel

November 26, 2007 1200 UTC.
POSITION: 19 15.3’N 047 34.7’W
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 282 Nm
WIND: 12kt 070T
WEATHER: Clear Sunny

NEWS:
The remains of the frontal system we sailed through yesterday have moved away. The sky has cleared the wind is down and the sea has finally settled. The only thing we are missing is the sound of the fishing lines running off. Hopefully the fishing will pick up in the next few days, as we get closer to Antigua.

Everyone aboard is well.

Jim Duhamel

November 25, 2007 1200 UTC.
POSITION: 19 33.1’N 042 36.1’W
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 275 Nm
WIND: 25kt 030T
WEATHER: Overcast, rain

NEWS:
This morning as the sun broke the wind began to pick up as we sailed into a frontal squall. As we approached the squall the barometer dropped two millibars, and the rain began to fall. Once the rain let up the breeze came on, building from 15 knots to a steady 35 from the Northeast. Not long after the breeze came up, the waves began to build. We hoisted a little more main and set the staysail. With the extra sail area the boat moved well though the waves, and mad good speed through the water. The breeze lasted for only a short time, but the waves stayed around for most of the morning.

No new news on the fishing front.

Jim

November 24, 2007 1200 UTC.
POSITION: 20 18.4’N 037 47.7’W
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 284 Nm
WIND: 18kt 080T
WEATHER: Slightly overcast, warm

NEWS:
The breeze has filled in again and the sky has become overcast. We are beginning to pass through the remains of disturbance we have been monitoring for the past few days. The center of the disturbance has passed well north of us but it has left some rain and confused breeze in its wake.

We are making good speed toward Antigua and have been able to get quite a few projects done with the calm weather. Today we brought the main down to inspect it and the halyard for chafe, and found none.

We have only caught one small dolphin in the past 24 hours which almost immediately became very tasty fish tacos.

Jim Duhamel

November 23, 2007 1200 UTC.
POSITION: 21 04.9N 032 48.0W
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 286 Nm
WIND: 15kt 080T
WEATHER: Sunny few cumulus clouds, getting warmer

NEWS:
The breeze has veered to 080 degrees, almost directly astern, and the heat of the Caribbean is beginning to set in. Except for the wind direction there has been little change in the weather over the past 24 hours. The sea has picked up some, but the movement of the boat is still comfortable.

The small disturbance west of us looks like it will move north quickly and should not affect us. We should also be approaching the area where trade showers are common. The trade showers we be a welcome sight with their free freshwater wash downs, and for something to look at on the radar.

The fishing has slowed some with only 2 small dolphins that were thrown back.

Jim Duhamel

November 22, 2007 1200 UTC.
POSITION: 21 45.3N 027 44.2W
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 296 Nm
WIND: 18kt 050T
WEATHER: Sunny few cumulus clouds, warm

NEWS:
Yesterday afternoon the NE trade winds began to full in. As the breeze picked up we hoisted the main and mizzen, and unfurled the genoa. With the added horse power from these sails the boat speed jumped from around 11 knots to a steady 12.8. If the breeze hangs in it will throw a wrench in the works for all the carefully calculated ETAs for the arrival sweepstakes. No one is complaining about the extra speed though.

We are now on rhumb line course for Antigua and the forecast looks good for continuing in this direction. Some of the longer-range forecasts show a small disturbance working its way north on a path perpendicular to our course. This is about 400 miles west of here and still a few days out so we will have to keep an eye on how it develops.

The sea state is still good, allowing us to continue on some of the outside projects. The fishing has slowed a little with only one 10# dolphin landed today.

Jim Duhamel

November 21, 2007 1200 UTC.
POSITION: 22 24.8N 022 27.4W
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 275 Nm
WIND: 10kt 235T
WEATHER: Sunny few cumulus clouds, warm

NEWS:
We have finally made our way to the south of the low-pressure system that has stalled north west of our course. The breeze continued to let up throughout the day yesterday, and by nightfall we were motoring into 5 knots of wind from the southwest. The forecast shows the low beginning to move again, towards the east-northeast. As the systems begins to move away from its current position the north easterly trade winds will begin to fill in again; hopefully enough for us to hoist some sails.

The sea state has been quite good. The wind chop from yesterday has dissipated leaving only a long swell from the northwest.

The fishing has picked up again with a 75# Albacore tuna, yesterday afternoon, and two skipjack tunas this morning.

Jim Duhamel

November 20, 2007 1200 UTC.
POSITION: 24 14.0N 017 58.4W
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 269 (26 hours)
WIND: 10kt 235T
WEATHER: Slightly overcast, warm

NEWS:
After our quick stop to refuel we are back underway. Yesterday morning we topped up the fuel tanks with some extra fuel, stowed the lose items and got underway around 1100.

As we departed Santa Cruz and started motoring south the southwesterly breeze began to build. When the wind is blowing from the north or south in this area it is funnelled between Tenerife and Gran Canaria. If the wind field is 15 knots around the general area it can be as much as 25 knots between the islands due to the funnelling effect. In our case the breeze built to 28 knots before we arrived at the south end of Tenerife. As we left the south end of Tenerife astern the breeze began to ease off again, finally settling in at around 17knots for most of the night.

We will have to head a little further south before coming on to a more westerly course to push through the southwesterly wind. Later on this afternoon we should be in a position to do this.

Jim Duhamel

November 18, 2007 1200 UTC.
POSITION: Marina de Santa Cruz

NEWS:
We arrived safely at the Marina de Santa Cruz in Tenerife early this morning at around 0200 UTC. The final motor-sail and approach to the marina were uneventful, with only slight breeze and minimal traffic. The entrance leading lights and light from town made finding and motoring to the marina straightforward. Once through the breakwater for the marina, we made our way slowly toward the back of the marina and tied up side to along an un-occupied part of the marina.

This morning we went about the usual arrival business of checking in, washing down and organizing fuel. Unfortunately since today is Sunday we will only be able to take on fuel tomorrow morning. So for the plan for now is to fuel up first thing tomorrow morning and then press on.

The weather forecast is still about the same, not very optimistic for sailing. The low-pressure system northwest of here is fairly strong and slow moving. It has pushed the band of northeasterly trade winds further south then normal and filled the void with southwesterly breeze. This will force us to travel a bit further south than normal before turning west for Antigua. The good news is that with the additional fuel we will take on tomorrow the added distance should not be a problem.

The crew worked on cleaning the salt of the deck and a few small projects and then spent the afternoon ashore.

Jim Duhamel

November 17, 2007 1200 UTC.
POSITION: 29 59.7N 013 50.2W
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 264
WIND: 10kt 143T
WEATHER: Sunny calm sea

NEWS:
The long swell we had been experiencing on earlier has flattened out and the breeze is starting to fill in. As the breeze built we hoisted the main and unfurled the genoa and saw the speed jump almost 2 knots.

Our route will take us a longer distance then initially planned with our diversion for weather, and the forecast looks unfavourable for doing much sailing for the next few days. With this in mind we have decided to make a stop in Tenerife to top up with some fuel. Currently have just enough fuel to make it across. The added fuel we will take on in Tenerife will give us a good safety margin.

The fishing lines have been quite but Bevan is working his hardest on enticing the fish with new tasty looking lures.

Jim Duhamel