Leg 3: Las Palmas - St Lucia
Kasuje
Stephen Rodwell
Mon 17 Dec 2007 21:42
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----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen
Rodwell
To: Blog Site
Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 5:18 PM
Subject: Las Palmas - St Lucia Present Position
14deg 04'N 60deg 57'W Passage Las Palmas - St Lucia Crew: Val, Angela and Bruce What a fantastic passage across the Atlantic full of incidents, at times exciting and as all ocean passages, demanding. Our delayed departure from Las Palmas was tinged with a little sadness as we viewed all the other yachts disappearing over the horizon but it would have been foolhardy to depart with a faulty forestay. However it gave us a chance to regroup after the frenetic ARC start, re-provision and make sure we were fully prepared. The first half of the passage is covered in Val's previous blog, so after reaching this mid point our life aboard got a little more interesting.   Las Palmas preparations Lined up in Las Palmas Firstly the squalls started!! These were to bug us for the rest of the passage, sudden severe showers with winds increasing up to 45 - 50 knots, no problem in daylight when you have plenty of notice and time to reduce sail, but in the pitch black of night, tired and half asleep they can really catch you unaware. Our twin genoa rig however was brilliant for these conditions providing quick and simple means of reducing sail. 
 Racing
start
Volvo open 60,s
Secondly Robo the autopilot!!
In a particularly heavy squall Robo decided he had had enough and decided to tell us by sounding his alarm!! Unfortunately our reaction to this was rather severe and concluded with me putting the autopilot compass into complete disarray. No problem on a nice sunny day in Brixham harbour but out here impossible to remedy!! The only answer, to hand helm the remaining passage. 850miles!! After firstly severely beating me about the head,the crew stoic as ever rallied, and a watch system evolved to cover the helming. From previous experience I knew this was going to be tough and indeed at times it was. However we made it to St Lucia, tired, but safe and sound and we all agreed that we would hand helm at all opportunities in the future as you certainly feel more in tune with the yacht. However, perhaps on occasions not quite this extreme. 
Val dressed for Squalls
Skip dressed to
party
Thirdly Mid Atlantic Rescue!!
Whilst dealing with our own minor problems we received a call from a yacht some 40 miles west of us who had developed a crack in her rudder stock and was taking on water. Assistance was required to stand by whilst repairs were undertaken and to accompany her to St Lucia. With seven crew on board, if the repair was unsuccessful then they needed a larger yacht to evacuate to. Kasuje of course speeded to her location. It took about 18 hrs, and we stood by just in case a major problem occurred. All ended well with the repair proving successful and a slow but safe passage was made by the damaged yacht. So after all our fun we made landfall in St Lucia after 18 days and 4 hours at sea. This was the first time I had sailed on a completely dry boat, and those first rum punches tasted as sweet as could be. Kasuje was cleaned and tidied and we even had time for a beach Bar b Que and those Pina Coladas!!  I promised a beach B-B- Que
Thanks
from me to the crew of Angela, Bruce and Val, for their great company and
seamanship and now we look forward to the next leg with Suzy and Guy , west
through the Panama canal and the PACIFIC!!!!!
Distance Travelled: 5300nm Distance to go: 26700nm |