Azores trip with a solid crew

Hi folks

It is my intention to publish on this Blog some of these retrospective trips then continue with the daily and weekly bits that come up from time to time and this is one from awhile ago, this trip was 2 years ago.

Antigua to Azores Gibraltar and the South of France

 Below: That's Brother surveying all.

Well another Atlantic crossing completed, it’s difficult when we are snug in a comfortable berth to remember what it was really like but this time I can say it was bloody awful!!

We left Antigua on the Rhum Line for Horta in the Azores, the crew, Myself, Jane, Dave Benton and Brother!! Yes that’s right Brother, we were a bit light weight but with two relatively experienced crew I figured that Brother would hold his own and there was little or no work for him in Antigua so why not eh?

The Crew for those of you who do not know them:-

"Brother" alias Edwin Walwyn Ralph is a black Antigun guy who has been helping me in Antigua for years, his capacity for hard work and laughter is legendary and having worked on the boat off and on through the season he at least knows where everything is because he helped stow it.
Dave Denton nicknamed by a previous crew the “Constant Gardener” because he is constantly doing something, he’s a good climber so is up the mast checking and adjusting before problems arise, he is also a good engineer and love’s reading Manuals   

Jane McMinn a veteran of another Atlantic crossing the other way, who was determined to complete this trip regardless of what it takes, Jane has a small power boat in Scotland which dose fishing charters and trips. Her idea is to eventually buy a  largish sailing boat to sail the Caribbean et al. She has produced some memorable meals which have helped ease the pressure in the galley for the trip.

Well we left the Caribbean in some pretty lousy weather, strong head winds and torrential rain for about 12 hours it was horrible, this was followed by more mixed conditions, then a double header low pressure system came through our track and we had every thing except snow. At the worst the winds were at 50 to 55 knots with some gusts higher the seas were like the Brecon Beacons and they say 8 to 10 meters but the saving graces were one!, it was a following sea and two!, it was on our track for the Azores. Our tactic was to reduce sail down to 50% of the staysail and our speed was topping out at 14 knots surfing off some of the waves but mostly a steady 10 Knots. The boat performed well just a few minor cracks in the facade, and we lost the spinnaker pole over the side, Oh! yea and a big sea dumped on us and crushed the spray hood.

Our weather routers were trying to persuade us to detour to Madeira as a safer option, but the thought of beating up to the straights of Gibraltar from there was a diabolical thought, so I told them on the Sat phone to go away and pray for something better.

The crew knew it was going to be OK when in the worst of the weather Dolphins were cavorting through the big waves; they stayed with us off and on for the whole trip to Horta. The 2000 plus nautical miles completed in just over 9 days.

As is often the fact the worst moments for me was the approach to Horta and the relatively narrow seaway between there and Pico, the seas were building, with some at 15/18 metres we managed to slowly crab across the seas and in behind the Caldera at about half a cable away. Then all was peaceful as we crept into Fial and the well trodden venues of this sailors, Atlantic staging post. Food at the hot brick and 24 hours sleep.

Our trip was marred by the news that a boat behind us on the crossing lost a man overboard in the heavy weather, poor folk could not get there engine started to get back to the guy. A chopper and a fixed wing went out to assist from Punta Del Garda but there was no sign of the guy. It only serves to remind us, that the sea can be a deadly place. I am always reminded when preparing a boat for a long passage of the seven P’s

“prior planning and preparation, prevents piss poor performance.”

Then fill up with fuel and away again heading for the straits of Gibraltar and then France.But not before had painted the boats missive on the dock!! It is considered bad luck not too!!!.

For those who don’t know the boat is a CNB 77’ very pretty and seaworthy.

Left the channel between Horta and Pico The mountain in calm weather.Full moon what could be better?...