ARC Day 12
Starcross Fair Log
Ross Wilson
Thu 2 Dec 2010 21:39
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Thursday 02/12/10
Midday position 13:29.5N 29:01.8W
Noon - noon run: 141.2 NM
Plan +24 Hrs: continue on great circle
route to St Lucia 1863 NM
Today at 13 degrees 20 minutes north we decided
that we think we now have enough south in our course to both keep a reasonable
wind and avoid any calm patches for the forseable forecast period. We therefore
turned and headed directly down wind and are currently steering 285 direct for
St Lucia. Having experimented in the last couple of days with many different
sail configuration we have finally settled for a poled out genoa to port, a
second slightly smaller poled out genoa to starboard and our trisail to reduce
the roll (which we may change for the main +4 reefs in the morning). All
in all this is making for a very comfortable ride with a speed of 6.3kts in
13kts of wind. The rest of the day has been highlighted by a flying fish
(Derrick) that decided to jump onto our deck (which we attempted to use
unsucessfully to catch a larger fish with), and the smell of cabbage which
proabably should either have been kept in the fridge or eaten a few days
ago.
We have had several requests for more photos on our
blog. Unfortunately photos are extremely expensive (and take a rather long
time) to upload over our sattelite connection, however we hope that the few sent
so far have been appreciated. To make up for this shortage of photos I
thought today I would include a brief description and history of
Starcross.
Starcross is 42 feet long, with a single mast, and
a mast head rig. Coming back she has two cockpits, the first for the
triming crew, the second for the helm and mainsheet, which together have a
combined total of 13 winches. The forward cockpit has a spray hood to
protect it occupants from any rogue waves, and the aft cockpit has an awning
over it to protect the helmsman from the sun. Down below, the main cabin
sleeps two on the seats either side of the large table, and two additional
"cabin boy berths" above these seats (one of which is currently acting as the
overflow food storage area). The forepeak, is an extremely large
anchor, sail and dinghy locker (with two pipe cots), and the stern has a
large comfortable three berth cabin, which can be either accessed through the
heads (bathroom) or through the galley.
Starcross was born in Finland in 1982 in the famous
Nautor Swan Ship Yard. Her first owner, a Swede, made his money importing
the Starcross breed of chickens from the UK. We know little of her early
history, however it is obvious that she was fitted out for racing and light
baltic crusing. When Ross purchased her in 2006 she was (and had been
for the previous 10 or so years) living on Lake Vattern in the middle of Sweden
- two days canal motoring to the sea. She was in excellent condition
internally, but was in no way the ocean going yacht that she now is: with no
reefing system in the main sail, no sail ties, the sail locker turned into a
smart additional cabin, no permanently installed VHF radio, no life raft, no
anchor winch, the heads used fresh water to flush and a fridge installation that
was condemned by the surveyors. She did however come with all the sails
that had ever been purchased for her including three pretty well unused
spinnakers.
Since this time she has been dramatically
transformed, firstly into a state to be sailed back to her new home in
Scotland (year 0), then for crusing (year 1), for offshore racing (year 2)
(sucessfully completing the Fastnet) and now ocean voyaging (year
3).
So what would you notice if you came on
board. Firstly to strike your eye would be the suite of 10 antenae
(11 with the ARC tracker) that adorn the stern of the yacht, if in harbour, we
have a rather unique domed shaped awning to provide some shade, and additional
bling provided by a rope light draped over the deck. At sea the large
chart table becomes one focus, and the galley with its gimballed stove becomes a
second (probably more important) focus. At night we switch all lights down
below to red - to preserve our night vision, which gives and interesting
ambience, and there is always the extensive drinks cabinet to provide added
entertainment.
More another time however this hopefully gives you
an idea of the space in which we are currently living.
All the best,
Ross, Al, al, Paul and
Will.
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