Day 20

Peejay
Paul and Pat Marriage
Sat 12 Dec 2009 10:33

Day 20 Saturday 12th December

 

That’s it then - job done – what next?

 

Facts and Figures

 

1 boat 6 crew 1 Atlantic crossing

 

19 Days 21 Hours 33 Minutes 8 Seconds

 

2,990 nautical miles recorded

 

100% sailing 0% Motoring

 

1 tuna and 5 mahi-mahi caught and eaten

 

Several flying fish and 1 squid landed on deck

 

1,170 litres of fresh water made from sea water and used/consumed

 

80 engine hours used to charge the batteries

 

Countless dolphins

 

2 whales

 

1,000’s of photos/video clips

 

Good Points

 

Unbeatable star gazing.We can now identify virtually any constellation and most navigable stars.

 

Fantastic sunrises/sunsets

 

Nobody got ill/injured except the fish who all suffered terminal injuries

 

Beautiful trade winds

 

Half way there party

 

Swimming 1,000 miles from anywhere

 

Hearing the fishing line scream off the reel

 

The crew are all still friends

 

Bad Points

 

1 very nasty storm with thunder and lightning that lasted 8 hours

 

Several squalls but they seemed like nothing after the storm

 

The tuna went on for ever

 

Sleep deprivation

 

Relentless rolling

 

Breakages/Damage

 

VHF ariel came adrift at mast head

 

Mainsail bolt rope jammed in luff groove

 

Mainsail block needs replacing

 

Everything else ok so only trivial damage/breakages compared to some boats which lost their rigs/rudders and were abandoned /sunk.

 

 

Highlights

 

The whale who stayed and played with us for over an hour

 

The start where thousand of people turned out to cheer us off.

 

The voice on the VHF at the finishing line who said “Congratulations Peejay – you have now successfully completed your Atlantic Crossing” Those words will stay with me for a very long time.

 

Crossing the finishing line at dawn at high speed with a professional photographer taking pictures of us from a rib. Everyone on board cheering and shouting.

 

Rum punch being handed to us literally as we stepped ashore in St Lucia

 

Thanks

 

To the ARC organisers who have put together a terrific package.

 

To the crew – you have all been fantastic – and met and overcome your demons

 

To Nick for helping to move Peejay from Corfu to Gibraltar and sorting out my communications. See you in Bermuda for the trip back

 

And finally to Wolfgang. Without you the boat would never have been ready. I am in your debt my friend. We have just drunk your champagne – thanks. The beers are on me in Corfu in 2010. 

 

Finally a few more magic moments

 

Triumphant Barrie

 

They were delicious

 

He looks pleased with life

 

 

Skipper arrives at St Lucia

 

 

Hi Dad – We’ve done it !

 

Rum Punch on arrival

 

 

That’s 5,000 miles we’ve sailed together since August

 

Skipper being interviewed by the local press

 

Let’s start the party !

 

Crew delivered safely – job done - one very happy man

 

And as ever – Barrie has the last word