Category Archives: Gran Canaria

Finally arrived :-)

10. December 2015Katja Henke

On Thursday afternoon local time exactly 14:23 haben wir die Ziellinie überfahren 🙂

Aber ich falle gerade mit der Tür ins Haus 🙂 Also schön von Anfang an: The morning started cloudy?!?! We were in the wrong movie? The first look out was more like a dull day on the Baltic Sea than at our arrival in the Caribbean. And so then came today also our oilskins used. The second time on the entire trip. That would have been really unnecessary now.
On the last night we had left behind us a boat, but today on day brought two old acquaintances, SY COCO and the SY SIR RUDOLF steadily on. Shortly before Saint Lucia they were then passing us, without Dietmar`s racing ambition that could have prevented. Practically it then but, that we had to make any special thought to our rest of the way. So we walked around Saint Lucia's northern tip and followed the coast towards the south. The first big bay to Pigion Iceland we turned towards Rodney Bay Marina. Zuvor hatten wir die Ziellinie per Funk über unser Kommen informiert 🙂 Nicht, that you would have overlooked us.
In the bay, we were met by the crew of SY PURE ELEGANCE. Was für ein netter Empfang 🙂 Jetzt mussten wir nur noch die Ziellinie finden, what was not so easy in the confusion of the moored boats. Good, that we had salvaged the sails. Unter Maschine waren wir ja auch viel flexibler 🙂 Leider ist damit aber das Bild der Zieldurchfahrt nicht besonders spektakulär geworden 🙁

Next, we reported by radio at the marina and waited, that zuwies us a berth. First you had wanted to ship us without finger ridge between two other yachts, which would have been very unpleasant for us, because we can not leave our CESARINA almost impossible by her although very chic but also very long and narrow yacht stern. As we addressed this issue, we got a luxury mooring in the very “Great” zugewiesen 🙂 Die Stege hier sind für Yachten bis 100 Fuß ausgelegt 🙂 An diesem Steg sah unsere CESARINA dann direkt wieder niedlich aus. Especially since had moored on the other side of the ridge the SY BRAVEHEART, a Truly Classic from 75 Foot length. However, the two yachts are otherwise regarding color, Form und Aufbauten sehr ähnlich und wir fühlten uns gleich Zuhause 🙂

Traditionally, you will be welcomed by the team of ARC directly after arrival with a rum punch and a fruit basket. Actually a nice idea, but probably in many cases leads to, dass alle weiteren Aktivitäten an diesem Tag im mehr oder weniger volltrunkenen Zustand erledigt werden müssen 🙂 Das war bei uns auch nicht anders 🙂 So ging das Einklarieren und die anderen Formalitäten etwas im Alkoholnebel unter 🙂 Irgendwann war alles erledigt und die Zeit gekommen, treat yourself to a first Caribbean delicacies. It was a real treat, relaxing to sit when eating and to enjoy everything in peace. Endlich konnte man einen Drink zum Essen genießen und nicht vorher oder nachher 🙂 Man brauchte ja nichts mehr festhalten 🙂

Saturated and tired we fell into our no longer rocking beds. Alles Weitere wurde entspannt auf morgen verschoben 🙂

A Black Friday – in every relation

14. November 2015Katja Henke

Somehow this Friday was not probably our day. It was also Friday the 13! But so far in our life this date has still been no cause for alarm. The next Friday 13. werden wir sicher etwas skeptischer entgegen treten 🙂

It started right after breakfast, though the radiant sunshine a good start to the day promised.

We still expect a package from Germany. Our passports with US visas and some little things have been around for almost two weeks on the way to us. Since Monday the package at customs stuck. Today then was finally time, to take the whole thing more closely. In order to perform such calls, reichte unser Spanisch aber ganz sicher nicht aus 🙂 So war ich froh, dass das ARC-Büro mir Unterstützung angeboten hatte 🙂 So dauerte es nur eine geschlagene Stunde um herauszufinden, that our package is on the way to us though, but you could not say exactly, where it was and certainly not, when it would arrive here. But the probability is very high, that would land it in Gran Canaria before the start of the ARC. Those were wonderful prospects, da brauchte ich mir ja keine Sorgen machen 🙂 Und wozu brauchen wir auch schon Reisepässe 🙂

Back on the CESARINA I met Dietmar in very dark mood. How actually every day he had telephoned with North Sails, to clarify the exact date of arrival of our new sailing. We had received a firm commitment from the beginning of the week, that they had been sent from England on Monday and waited eagerly for the tracking number. Imports of goods to the Canaries is quite special and complicated, as had some of the customs in advance to be clarified. So far we had but North Sails nor can report no tracking number. The reasons were not understandable for us and it crept over the days feel uneasy a. Today we wanted to finally know the truth. So Dietmar starting a true phone attack both in Belgium at the sales office as well as in England at the production site.

At about three clock in the afternoon then was made final: There was no sailing for our CESARINA. The manufacturing plant in England had never received a production order. Alle Telefonate und alle bis heute erhaltenen Informationen waren Schall und Rauch 🙁 nur leere Worte und Lügen.

What should we say, We were totally floored. Due to a recommendation we decided, to order not in Jan-sailing in Germany. Now we are left without a sail. The old sailing we had brought to the sailmaker on Wednesday, damit dieser sie entsorgen sollte 🙂 Was nun? Rowing is truly no alternative.

So we introduced our next way to the sailmaker. Perhaps the disaster was indeed to prevent yet. And Lo and behold, the owner told us relaxed, that they would always dispose sailing only, if the boat had left the port with new sails. A very clever approach, the evidence of a lot of experience. Since we are probably not the first, must make such experiences.

But the day had yet another terrible news ready for us. Late afternoon found himself “Jerry, The Rigger” with us aboard one ordered for Riggcheck.

With his assistant, they took everything very closely examined and unfortunately they were successful: a crack in the mast, directly at the level of first Sailing. With which we can not sail. That needs to be fixed first. This will certainly be a scarce number, until the start of the ARC next Sunday. The ship has to be repaired from the water, and then maybe even the mast be drawn. So this is nothing with a relaxed last week in Gran Canaria. In my mind I stressed before the island tour, I would like to still have companies. Maybe then the next time…..

Our mood had now reached the nadir. Kerstin and Thomas from Munich, who today paid us a visit on a holiday afternoon, sat pretty scared in the middle of chaos. That would probably no longer be with the planned nice evening together, while the afternoon but had started quite promising.

So they decided to, better to leave us this evening alone. Much was also really no more to do with us.

We both had once digest. Now participation in the ARC is suddenly on shaky legs, quite apart from all the work and stress, who would come to us. We also had definitely once the noses painted full. After a big dose of Tortellini (Noodles do just happy) I retreated with a good book to bed. Dietmar tried to the ARC opening party distract something, but he was definitely not in a celebratory mood. Shortly before eleven he was back.

After a restless night with many confused dreams and thoughts of a shock followed in the morning. At about eight we received the news of the attacks in Paris. Very quickly moved the crack in the mast in the background. So we both sat silent and stunned at breakfast. Again Paris it had met, a town in the heart of Europe. Our deepest sympathies go to the families of the victims and many injured. Our problems appeared to us in the face of such a tragedy suddenly small and unimportant. That could certainly take care of everything, because there were only just yet “Luxury Problems”.

You never stop learning :-)

12. November 2015Katja Henke

Today the seminar program of the ARC began. Actually, all seminars were interesting and relevant for us, but we decided, to distribute the seminars as much as possible on both weeks.

Nevertheless, today there were four seminars on the program. They started in the morning with ten clock “Emergency Management”. Here all the contingencies were discussed, wishing we absolutely avoid: Mastbruch, Rowing break, Man Overboard…… diverse unpleasant scenarios were raised. Although we are still certainly try, to avoid such situations, we know now, how we can better deal with it. Das ist doch auch schon mal was 🙂

After that, it was very hands: “Jerry, The Rigger” talked about the rig. The rig is and everything fixed the mast itself the pole and the tree in the desired location on the ship. Das ist nach dem Rumpf und der Ruderanlage das wichtigste Teil an einem Segelboot 🙂 So sollte man sich immer gut darum kümmern und immer ein Auge drauf haben 🙂 Nach diesem Vortrag ist mir noch einmal mehr klar geworden, that I wanted to make the offer of the ARC Rigg check necessarily. Before the lunch break, we wore our CESARINA in the list.

After lunch we went to a very important topic. Namely how to not starve within three weeks on the Atlantic crossing. I'm actually still so far been very relaxed. In an Excel list, I once had a rough estimate,, I wanted so shopping for three people for three weeks foods. War eigentlich nicht so wild 🙂 Im Seminar wurden dann aber komische Probleme auf den Tisch gebracht. “What are they doing, if you can not cook, d.h. For example, have no more gas? Take enough food with, they can also eat raw”. Hmmm…… with a little patience and a lot of water, you can also eat them raw noodles yes. But still not really convinced me. But I decided to take a different approach. You probably drive off with two full gas cylinders and also check once stove and Zuleitunggen. Dann sollte doch eigentlich fast nichts mehr schief gehen können 🙂

Something scares me but had a sample calculation of the amount of food for the crossing for a crew of four. Since were 30 Listed kilo pasta or rice. 30 Kilo????? Who is that supposed to eat anything????

At the end of the afternoon there was advice “Down-Wind-Sailing”. Because we sail across the Atlantic with the trade wind, dh.hoffentlich all the time with a tailwind. Unfortunately we had to wait until the very end because of a power failure to the many insightful pictures to illustrate, but we still got a few good tips on the way.

As evening program the ARC had a workshop for “Two-man crews” auf dem Programm 🙂 Da waren wir sehr gespannt, whether here a few interesting suggestions were still getting to. But after 18 Monaten auf Tour hatte das Seminar uns fast nichts Neues zu bieten 🙂 Und auch Konfliktbewältigung haben wir während der Zeit ganz hervorragend gelernt – In theory at least.

During the last seminar we got talking with Micha and Sabina of SY ANYWAY SAILING. They both want to start next year and visit already the seminars of the ARC. We held our interesting conversation spontaneously during dinner at the Pier 19 and after that on the next CESARINA. Maybe we'll meet then end 2016 in der Karibik 🙂

Finally back shortwave :-)

9. November 2015Katja Henke

In ARC office lists hanging for various specialists from, where you can still make an appointment to correct problems or to install new equipment before departure. Schon seit letzter Woche standen wir bei yachtfunk.com auf dem Zettel 🙂 Leider hatten aber die Boote der ARC+ Vorrang. After they had turned their backs on Las Palmas yesterday, we are finally on the series. Directly on Monday morning it was time. Time knocked at nine clock Jörg to the ship's side and went for a coffee, the two men set to work.

I undressed during which a precaution in the salon and devoted myself planning our further trip. On my to-do list was still namely the acquisition of some host country flags. Therefore, one should then have likely ever, in welche Länder und zu welchen Inseln man eigentlich noch segeln würde 🙂

Outside the gentlemen care to our first Achterstagantenne.

After a trip in the air, Jörg then disappeared into the depths of our locker. Here the ground had to be applied over a large area by means of Ground Paint.

Then, of course, had to postponed various cables, the tuner and ultimately the unit will be connected. 10000 Things, that I really have no idea. Good, that we had a professional on board.

Gegen Abend gab unsere Anlage dann die ersten Lebenszeichen von sich 🙂

The first voice connections were despite the disturbing harbor environment (too many masts and large freighters cause probably a large disturbance field) very promising. So we called also equal to a weather fax from Hamburg from, The little later starred in very good quality on the computer. A Sprechunkverbindung over 3500 Kilometers to Dresden even worked to the astonishment of the professional out of the harbor with a perfect signal strength of 9,5, what is unusually high! Also our Pactor modem, that we use to send and retrieve email, wurde abschließend getestet 🙂 Die Übertragungsraten waren ebenfalls sehr hoch und so dürft Ihr Euch wieder auf Emails von uns freuen, wenn wir auf hoher See unterwegs sind 🙂 Mal wieder ist es Yachtfunk.com gelungen eine hervorragende Installation zu liefern. It is already the second Intsallation, die so gut funktioniert 🙂

Bye bye ARC+ – Fairwinds and a good crossing

8. November 2015Katja Henke

The Saturday after the fun party started in accordance with tough. Good, that we did not have such stress how many other boats. We still have two weeks. Da kann man es auch mal etwas ruhiger angehen lassen 🙂

Wash clothes for today would secure decent employment, not too strenuous, aber doch sehr sinnvoll 🙂 Nur meine Terminplanung, do + the day before the start of the ARC, was unfortunately totally unhappy. Im Waschsalon hatte sich schon eine Lange Schlange gebildet 🙂 Naja, dann eben morgen 🙂

In the evening we met up yet with Dirk and Bettina from the SY ain't FANCY for farewell dinner at Pier 19. Jörg von YACHTFUNK.com was also one of the party .Up half past eight Both have worked hard on the still Törnvorbereitungen and at the end of the required for the cruise food were even stowed on board. No easy situation, which made their relationship to a real breaking point today. But now the two sat back quite peaceful nebeneinande with us. Then it could indeed go off tomorrow as planned. Dirk hatte sich schon die passende Strategie für den Start zurecht gelegt 🙂 Das würden wir morgen dann mal genau beobachten.

On Sunday morning we started quite early on the way, To still want both of SY ain't FANCY and the Katameran FIRST STEP a good crossing. Dirk and Bettina had now hauled to the gas station. A bit of diesel for the crossing should be even refueled for possible downturns. On our way over to the other side of the harbor we bought at the bakery still a few croissants as provision for the journey.

Having arrived at the gas station, we found, that Dirk and Bettina had suddenly disappeared. This was Martin and his son Micha were still busy with the final preparations. Since we did not want to disturb long. We made an appointment for the Caribbean and look forward to seeing you again.

So we started to look for Dirk and Bettina and found it next to the shipyard. So we were able to come for a coffee on board with our supplies. Danach mussten die Beiden noch die letzten Vorbereitungen treffen 🙂

Term before the start we looked for a nice place on the promenade, to all the action to be able to overlook good. Für uns war es ja auch eine Generalprobe denn in genau zwei Wochen würde es bei uns soweit sein 🙂 Ein bisschen aufgeregt sind wir doch 🙂 , but that is hardly surprising.

Time saw the launch and many drew their light wind sails on. A great image. In just over sixty boats but the mess was still manageable. Let's see how it looks in two weeks, if more than 200 Boats want as quickly as possible on the starting line. We were thinking about, that in the total distances of about 2700 Seemeilen wahrscheinlich nicht auf fünf Minuten ankommt und werden es sicher ruhig angehen lassen 🙂

Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) – It’s Party Time :-)

6. November 2015Katja Henke

Today our ARC program was officially los. We sail namely not quite utterly alone across the Atlantic, we participate in the ARC – “Atlantik Rally for Cruisers” part. Da starten am 22. November about 250 Ships together to 13 Clock in the direction of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. Ahead there are seminars and events, but also a lot of parties, where you can meet like-minded people. On the Atlantic However, you then of course put back on itself, for the ships sailing not in a crowd or on sight :-). At the latest after one or two days, the last sailing disappears on the horizon. But in Saint Lucia you can meet all again again and there are even prizes for the fastest, largest, most beautiful or the most exotic ships in different categories. You know so our captain, but I can assure you, that our “Racing ambitions” are negligible in the large and not particularly intimate ship on this tour. Most importantly to us, dass wir heil und wohlbehalten drüben ankommen 🙂

Jetzt freuen wir uns erst einmal auf die spannende Zeit in Las Palmas und viele neue Bekannte 🙂 . After yesterday evening already for happy hour the ARC + (The sail still a dangling over the Cape Verde) who had infiltrated and we know there is a lot of nice people learned, was for tonight, our first, planned official party in the Tao bar near the Marina:

Welcome ARC – Farewell ARC+

Aber das Leben besteht ja leider nicht nur aus Partys 🙂 und wir hatten über Tag noch einige andere Dinge zu erledigen. Around noon we officially checked us in ARC office. In addition to lots of information about Gran Canaria and the capital Las Palmas we got our ARC Passports, the start number for our CESARINA (60) for the Rally and other important documents, affecting our Atlantic crossing.

In the afternoon we had a visit on board the ARC organization. The security check was at. The inspector was aboard was Anne. She does the job for many years and is incidentally also the wife of the responsible “Weather frog” the ARC. Even before we had received an entire folder full of information and requirements, which are placed on the boats of the ARC. Now it was time to check on the spot, if we had done our homework properly.

We had to answer questions and let the equipment show on board and inspect more than an hour. For both of us it was a meaningful and educational event. Sure, a few things were on the list, about whose meaning you could certainly argue, but on the other hand, we also found a few small weaknesses in our security concept, die wir bisher übersehen hatten 🙂

Satisfied, to have successfully completed the first item on our To-To-List now behind us, konnten wir am Abend zur Party aufbrechen 🙂 Mit Jörg Drexhagen von Yachtfunk.com zogen wir los. The event was organized by the ARC in cooperation with the city of Las Palmas and had lain down properly to the wheel. Even the welcome was spectacular :-). As part of the Carnival here in Gran Canaria not only a carnival queen is crowned, but also a drag queen. And this beauty was standing with two elaborately decorated, young ladies at the entrance. Both my male companion were the whole somewhat skeptical and were not ready for a joint Foot Shooting. I liked the sight but actually quite good. Impressive were the almost 50 cm high heels, auf denen der junge Herr sehr elegant durch die Gegend spazierte 🙂

Inside, we were generously entertained with drinks and tapas. After a short speech it went funny and at ease. Las Palmas is probably the carnival capital of the Canaries and so we got a few insights, had been celebrated like this early in the year.

During the evening, our Round had significantly increased: Martin were now of the SY FIRST STEP and Frank and Julius of the SY jucunda also one of the party. Because actually missing only Dirk and Bettina from the SY ain't FANCY?! But they were probably too much in stress. My boat was actually still on land and on Sunday it was going to go in the direction of Cap Verde. Da wäre mir wahrscheinlich auch nicht nach Feiern zumute gewesen 🙂

Long after midnight went this splashy evening to end. Back on the CESARINA I was impressed, how much swell suddenly prevails in the port. Somehow turned my bunk?! Well, quickly and sleep eyes. Tapas sind einfach keine gute Grundlage für eine lustige Party 🙂

Welcome to the capital of the creepy crawlies

5. November 2015Katja Henke

When we had rested the next morning, we are on the way, nice to the harbor to eat breakfast. During our walk over the bridge towards Promenade, we believe not to believe our eyes. Three dead cockroaches were on the road before we reach the entrance gate. Das ist ein Alptraum für jeden Segler 🙁

Although we had heard in advance of it, that the Marina from Las Palmas to be an absolute highlight in terms of cockroaches, but too bad we were now not yet imagined. We have also received reports on the web, that sometimes even mice would come through the lines to the ship. A sailor had it even a proof photo. We both wanted About larger rodents but rather not even think. So we forged diligently during breakfast plans, how we could protect our CESARINA before stowaways.

For our hatches we brought from Germany Insect protection hoods. The mother had sewn my girlfriend Stephie for us. It only lacked the lead tape, the protective hoods over the hatches to securely fix on deck. I did not want to buy in Germany, because I did not want to burden them with three kilos of lead tape our luggage. So I set off in the city, um Bleiband zu besorgen 🙂 Gegen Abend hatte ich Gewissheit, that although there is lead tape in Las Palmas, but not in the weight I want to stay (150 g/Meter). For that I had after a day a fairly good overview of the entire business in the downtown area :-)……. and flat feet! Now the hoods are once without weighing on the hatches and we eagerly await the next weekend. There comes an acquaintance from Kiel. Hopefully then our lead tape in the luggage.

The second point of our safety concept foresaw, easy “on-board come” to prohibit blind pass through the lines. Consistently there are two different methods. Have proved probably halved plastic bottles, which are threaded over the lines or simple, round slices. The simplest and cheapest solution also, which struck me in the supermarket in your hands, waren Plastikteller 🙂

Back on the CESARINA then began Bastelstunde. With a bit of electrical tape could easily tinker a stable construction together. So watch it with us on the ship mooring lines from.

The shoes have to stay ashore from now consistently. Who knows, what else promoted among the shoe If everything on board.

The last entry opportunity for the disgusting fellows aboard our CESARINA we had identified our purchases. So we will previously control, as in recent months even exactly, which travels to the shopping bag on board. Wir haben unsere Altantiküberquerung mit drei Personen geplant und mehr wollen wir auch gar nicht dabei haben 🙂

Without Wind aim – Day 4 and 5 nach Gran Canaria

4. November 2015Katja Henke

Apparently we had consumed over the last three days our entire contingent of wind for this crossing. Eventually it was then no longer be prevented: we had to recover the genoa and start the machine. At 2 to 5 Knoten Wind brauchten wir uns auch über unsere Leichtwindsegel keine Gedanken zu machen 🙂 Das ist sogar für diese zu wenig Wind.

Since our autopilot with no wind so can steer a course close to the wind, we had now time to think of something again. Somehow, our good Hydra yet again be convincing, to steer a compass course?! And really, after a reset of the system and wagemutigem Click through the entire menu (we had nothing to lose) standen plötzlich 225° Steuerkurs auf der Anzeige 🙂 Somit waren wir für die restliche Strecke von 300 Nautical miles from “Rowing-go” befreit 🙂 Jetzt konnten wir uns wieder ein bisschen entspannen.

But inaction is nothing for my captain. So finally the watermaker was tested. Without murmuring and Zicken this began work and produced about 55 Liters best drinking water per hour. Just as we had expected even when the long time proven H2O Factory quality. Soon our tanks were all refilled and wearing the 5-liter water cans from the supermarket now has an end.

On the evening of the fourth day we had then finally land in sight: Lanzarote was found just before sunset.

Die Temperatur in der Nacht war angenehm warm und der Himmel klar mit vielen Sternschnuppen 🙂 Trotzdem war es keine ganz ruhige Wache, because the land near took the amount of tankers and freighters again clearly. One last time we had on this trip carefully keep your eyes open. Our installed in Vilamoura AIS course had us a great help. It's great, wenn die Technik funktioniert 🙂

We were pleased both very, as the next morning Gran Canaria appeared in the haze ahead. We also passed another large group of dolphins, which could not be disturbed at her breakfast.

Around noon we moored at the reception jetty. For the 698 Nautical miles, we have pretty much used five days. When we left the boat, traf uns der heftige Seegang an Land doch recht unvorbereitet 🙂 Solche Seebeine hatte ich noch nie gehabt. Since I was happy, when I finally safe sitting in the chair during the registration. The crew of the marina in Las Palmas was very friendly and helpful. We had requested in advance, if it would be possible, to get a place alongside on a web or Hammerhead. With the narrow yacht stern and the windvane it is very, very difficult, to come back from board. Unfortunately, our mail went missing somewhere in the system and so had to be now searched for a solution spontaneously. There was finally still a nice spot for CESARINA short Sidebridge to A- und Aussteigen für uns 🙂 Souverän bugsierte Dietmar unser Schiff zum ersten Mal rückwärts in die doch recht enge Box. Endlich angekommen 🙂

After we had the CESARINA desalted extensively, it was time for a snack in the Sailor Bar.

On the way we ran Jörg Drexhagen from maritime radio stations on the way. He was also reached grade, to his work from tomorrow (Installation of SSB radio equipment) take to the ARC and ARC + boats. Aber heute hatte er noch Zeit für ein gemütliches Bierchen 🙂 Und nächste Woche stehen wir ja sowieso auf seiner Liste. It really is time, dass wir wieder eine funktionierende Kurswellenanlage an Bord haben 🙂

Next on track close to the wind – Day 3 nach Gran Canaria

2. November 2015Katja Henke

During the day the wind shifted further and further towards the west and later even towards southwest. So we had our CESARINA go to the wind always higher, but up to 35 ° which really was quite possible. So far, we are only half-Wind- sailed or downwind courses. Of the good sailing qualities of our new “At home” we were very impressed.

The wind blew all day with pleasant 15-20 Node, but it was not a quiet and relaxed sailing day. In the early afternoon of the first Squall pulled with more than 35 Knot winds over us. It should simply be no nice crossing. After our Kutterfock got a long crack in the early afternoon because of fatigue, we ran only under Genoa. After all, we were making good progress. Also, the second and third Squall let us rather cold. Leider segnete unser Pinnenpilot vor Anbruch der dritten Nacht das Zeitliche 🙂 Die Squalls sind wohl doch zu viel für den Guten gewesen. Now we stood there without autopilot and still had two and a half days and over 300 Nautical miles in front of us. A nightmare !!!

But necessity is the mother of invention. Somehow we had to carry our “Hydra” (new pet name for the autopilot)get back up and running. After the first reset Dietmar was able to convince them again, to steer a course close to the wind. For a map course but we could not persuade them. For the coming night so we were on the safe side. How it should go further, when from noon tomorrow no wind would blow and we'd be on the road with machine, We were waiting to happen.

Neat Wind from behind – Day 2 nach Gran Canaria

1. November 2015Katja Henke

Finally it went peppy in the right direction. In pleasant 15 Knots of wind we continued in the afternoon also the mainsail and ran with seven knots towards our goal.

Our Tiller was quite strained throughout the day. Again and again he got from ordinary seawater showers, he coped with not very good. So Dietmar had twice already need to replace a fuse after a short circuit. Particularly annoying was, that the Good simply silently quit the service, to give one last alarm signal from without yet. As our CESARINA actually sails at good trim of the sails almost by itself as if on rails straight, the withdrawal of Tillerpilot was noticed until the next violent gust. Das war immer etwas stressig 🙁

Gegen Abend durfte ich wieder als Erste in die Koje 🙂 Sehr zuvorkommend, the captain. But against twelve I was by myself awake again. Outside, the wind howled in the rigging. That sounded not good and we had the mainsail still above. After some back-and-forth, we decided, it to recover despite the adverse conditions. So we packed our fast and waterproof in our oilskins and equipped with lifejacket and lifeline we started to work.

The problem in our mainsail is firstly the size and on the other hand, the broken Lazy-Jacks. (For non-sailors: Lazy-Jacks serve, to keep the sail after the lowering in more or less folded form the top of the mast, so it does not blow around on the entire deck.) So the sail must be considered when CESARINA after lowering necessarily be fixed with sail bands on the tree. That's when a lot of wave a not quite simple and also not hazardous undertaking. Normally I can support Dietmar from the cockpit, when the reliable Hydra (our autopilot) the controller acquires. But that was not possible this time yes, since the Good somehow still spit out error messages. So Dietmar had to fend for themselves and he did his job very well. Nevertheless, we were both safely, that we did not want to experience a second time. On Gran Canaria new Lazy-Jacks or better yet a Lazy-Bag are high on the to-do list. And even as our beloved Hydra would receive a check through their paces.

The rest of the night was marked by several thunderstorms, which fortunately passed by but around us. Clearly you could see on the horizon the lightning and the lightning. At home on my couch with a nice cup of tea, I find storm really very nice to look at, hier draußen aber gehören sie nicht zu den von mir bevorzugten Wetterphänomenen 🙁 Gegen Morgen war der Spuk dann aber endlich vorbei und der Tag begann deutlich friedlicher mit einem tollen Sonnenaufgang.

SY CESARINA

A log of our travels