"Heading North" ... Tortola to Annapolis .. the "New Arbella"
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Wallace's Sailing Adventure on "Arbella"
Mike and Vicki Wallace
Fri 26 May 2017 01:04
19:49.1 N 65:29.7 W A year ago, "Arbella" was in Nanny Cay, Tortola, BVI being made ready for the trip back to Oyster in the UK. We had a "special experience" and decided to combine a "5 year refit", so back she went on a freighter....and back to the exact same shed she was originally built in 2011/2012, with the original shipwrights from Oyster Yachts. We upgraded navigation, communications, entertainment, computer....and a new engine (swapping out a VW for a Volvo)! She was back in Nanny Cay in February, 2017....and we enjoyed a great sailing season, although only 6 weeks total. So now the crew is taking her back "home". The "Team Arbella Crew" is: Nick Tellam, Rich Dickson, Jim "Cav" Caverly, Mike "Kris" Krissoff, and Captain Mike!! Pictured below, the crew is having a final land dinner at Bananakeet, Tortola, overlooking Cane Garden Bay and sunset! As we wind down "Day 1", we are full sail....Main, Jib, and Staysail, making 9.5 knots, with wind out of the East at 12-15knots, and seas 2-3 feet...star-lit night! Dinner was "Grandma Wallace's darn good beef stew", which Vicki prepared for the crew and froze before we last left the boat.....AND IT WAS DARN GOOD!! Cav is "galley chief" and Rich is assisting!! ... so Cav gets extra!! So 100 miles are behind us, and 1300 miles to go....open ocean ... about 400 miles offshore! (pictures to follow)