Epiphany - Day 7

It’s almost sunrise on our final morning before Bermuda. We survived the cold front better than most the fleet. Many reported torrential rain and lightning with strong 30knots wind. Somehow, for sure not skipper skill, we found a little hole and had hardly any rain, no lightning and only 10 knots of wind. We had to motor a bit b it crew were happy to avoid the worst of the weather. Still it was a long night for me. Up and down a lot checking the radar which whoever was on watch and reefing/unreefing in case of high winds. At the moment we are crusing in at 7knots on a beam reach. Touching distance behind us is Chiron another ARC boat and looks like we will arrive together. Looking forward to a walk, some nice food and a long long sleep. Another amazing achievement.. read more...

Epiphany - Day 5

The wind has returnedSails are powered Waves gradually pushingAn occasional surf 250 miles to goAnother two nightsBermuda awaitsDark and stormyHigh Sirius in the skyA warning of what’s to comeA front of coldRain and maybe thunderFor now all canvas is outWing on wingBut ready to reef we areFor ahead lies the unknown. image0. read more...

Epiphany - Day 4

Still no fish, but at least the weed has stopped so we can leave the lures out all day.Otherwise all calm. Wind died at lunch today so we started to motor again. It should start up again this afternoon as we hook on the then bottom of a low pressure. A cold front will pass over us too so likely will be some rain and maybe even thunder. All very much expected when heading back to Europe but will be a bit rougher than the last few days.. read more...

Epiphany - Day 3

Yesterday evening we finally got across the area of no wind and picked up a NNE wind from a small high pressure to our NW.  Since then we have been on full sails fully sheeted in trying to beat upwind until the wind veers to the E and eventually SE. Epiphany is a lovely boat but she is not so great heading into wind. She has no battens in her main so it has a big leech cut away which reduces her power quite a lot. On the plus side it means she reefs easily into the mast and if we get his by a squall she can normally manage without a reef. Anyway it means our progress was a little slow overnight and this morning. Topaz Rival (photo) came by us at sunrise managing 0.5-1knots more speed even though they are smaller than us. It may also be our weight. We are full of water and. read more...

Epiphany - Day 2

Most of the last 24 hours has been motoring. It was expected and to be honest we sailed more that though we could so far. It was frankly a very dull night and morning. No boats in sight, calm seas, no wind and no fish. Just hot and sweaty. Main excitement was fitting another gas solenoid. I think that’s 5 so far this trip!This afternoon has been better. The wind picked up from the west and now sailing steadily. It’s due to shift NE soon and then remain stable for a few days.Crew are fully into watches now and we started our evening meals together. Yesterday I made paella and today dad has made a sweet potato and bean curry. Otherwise all good. Battery is full charged. We have full water still and way too much food so will not need much more in Bermuda. Without kids there is a lot more. read more...