Filming with the enemy?

It has been a little while since my fingers were set to work describing what we've been up to. I'd like to blame it on the weather but as it's now a beautiful, sunny and windy day that excuse isn't valid. Although I am jealous thinking about those lucky people sailing during the week.

I suppose I should explain the photo, me filming on a boat without a mast? It's not some new design where the sails appear majestically from beneath a secret compartment, it is actually a motor boat and it's a clue to a few new big developments for the website.

We have been working very hard to update the look of Yachting TV, to make it easier to use and incorporate some of the changes that have been suggested to us. One of the major changes is that we will be allowing you to watch again all of our previous content. So, if you missed the item on reefing, lifejackets or a boat show, you'll be able to watch them again online and of course for free.

Hooray, I hear you all cry, but what's that got to do with the motor boat? We are going to be expanding our horizons to include stories and features on motor as well as sail. The great divide between sail and power has been reducing and quite clearly we all have a lot in common for our love of being on the water. We will still be making all our usual features about sailing but simply adding more content.

We'll obviously be making a big noise about the new website when it's ready, so standby for all of us to broaden our boating horizons...


Steve

Forget size it's the passion that matters

On the weekend of the 1st and 2nd March I was filming at the RYA Dinghy Sailing Show for the next episode of RYA TV. Another boat show I thought, it seems like they never stop. But this one did stop me, right in my tracks. I got the feeling that every single person who came to the show was a passionate sailor or about to become one.

The exhibitors were a mix of professional companies and amateurs manning club stands. And there was a great buzz of energy wherever we went. I suppose I should confess that I own a GP14 dinghy, lovely wooden example that needs a bit of TLC if I'm honest. But there really was a great feeling of sharing a passion. This is an intimate show at a small venue, but the bigger show organisers should take note and look at the mix of content and specialists available to talk to the visitors. We had a busy weekend but really enjoyable, and it has motivated me to get out the varnish and sort out my dinghy...

Dinghy sailors aren't afraid to get wet and that's a good thing with this week's weather set to continue for another couple of days. What kind of weather are we going to get this year I wonder? February had a record of dry sunny weather, last year we had plenty of sunshine in the first quarter too. I'm no expert on global warming but I'm sure it's becoming much more of a lottery as to what kind of season we get.

We're currently finishing our next episode which will be my ARC crossing. What great memories the footage brings back. I really hope that we manage to get across the fun that we had even through the tired watches. It still seems remarkable to me how 10 strangers shaped themselves into 2 efficient watches that managed all the tasks needed and at the end were all still smiling.

I hope all your preparations for the coming season are going well and you also make some great memories too this year.

Happy sailing


Steve

2008 - The Year of the sail...

The title of my last post was "memories are made of this" and the last year has been one of the most memorable for me. We started Yachting TV in January 2007 and from that month onward it feels as though we haven't stopped for a moment. We've sailed some lovely parts of the UK coast with Tom, looked at some great boats under the watchful eye of James, and Tracey has been out and about meeting loads of people working in every sector of the marine industry.

This year looks like it's going to be another memorable one too. We'll still be doing our usual items but they'll be some surprises too.

Back to this year and January is the month of the London ExCel Boat Show, however, this year it is the second London show. So what has been the Earls Court effect? Feedback from ECBS (Earls Court Boast Show, I can't keep typing that!) was good, there was a friendly atmosphere and the venue looked great. I wasn't there myself (as I was mid-Atlantic at the time) but Tracey filed a report for us which will be in the next episode. James Brooke, who organised the show promised many more visitors than actually turned up, but it's not clear whether he just had his numbers wrong or the boating fraternity had already made up their mind which show to go to. The ExCel Boat Show visitor numbers were down by 2% from last year and they are claiming very positive feedback too. Does it all matter to the general boating public? I think boat shows are the perfect place for all of us to share our passion, get jealous looking at the big boats but then feel please when you chat with someone who has the same boat and can share tips.

If I had to choose just one boat show in the year, it would be Southampton every time. You can't beat seeing all those boats on the pontoons with full masts up and they actually move when you get on board. The downside may be the weather but we're sailors aren't we? Surely a bit of rain won't put us off? Luckily we all have a breather now until September, and I'm sure most of the marine companies deserve a rest too, so let's hope we have a great sailing season with some fine weather to make the most of the fantastic opportunities we have here in the UK and foreign destinations on our doorstep.

So let's get on with it...ready, steady....hold on can I see some rain heading our way?

Steve

memories are made of this...

DAY 17 – 11TH December 2007

Position: 14º 14’ N 60º 43’ W
Bearing: 255º
Distance to go: 15 Nm

During the night A watch had done a great job which just left us to head to St Lucia in sunny style. Unfortunately the rain gods that had been “looking after us” most of the way wanted to say goodbye in style. We managed to catch the edge of a revolving tropical storm called Olga. Away went the sunshine, out came the rain and along came 35 knot winds. We battled for four hours to make up the remaining distance to St Lucia. Nothing could dampen our spirits though, and anyway we were used to getting wet. Reaching in 30 knots is also a lot of fun and we were surfing our way to the Carribean. It’s exciting and strange to be heading for land, but it’s also weird to be able to countdown precisely when you get there. The modern electronics which we wouldn’t have done without on the crossing almost took away the mystique of landfall as the digits patiently counted down.

At last the island was in full view. The rain eased for a while but there was no sun to shine on this beautiful green island that just sits in the middle of nowhere. We reset sails, smartened the boat, changed clothes and looked reasonably clean as we headed round Pigeon Island to the finish. Smile everybody for the photo boat! Just metres from the finish the rain started again and lashed down on us as we cheered, we were way beyond caring and Rick piped us into the lagoon.

We had the traditional St Lucian welcome with fruit and cold rum punch. Then we took turns to gingerly step onto the pontoon and try walking. Of course anyone staggering had a good excuse after a couple more drinks and the bar was only a hundred metres away.

Northern Child was first in its class but on handicap we may not be class winners. That will depend on other boats and whether they take a penalty for using their motor. At the outset of this passage Julian said he hoped we would sail the Atlantic, no motor and no autohelm. Thirteen strangers managed to sail this lovely boat every single one of the 2,724 Nm. Everyone had steered, set sails, got wet, laughed when absolutely tired and most of all worked as a team. This is the adventure that sailing offers. It can be dangerous, and some yachts have had problems, but it also gives you the opportunity to test yourself, to let you step up and support others. No-one can take away from us the memories we have all made together. A big thanks to everyone on board. I’m now off to find a bed that doesn’t move so that I can sleep for ever, and ever, and ever…

NOTE
This blog has been written as calendar days, not boat days. Our actual finish time was 16 days, 01 hours, 34 mins and 23 secs.

Daily positions and tracks were recorded at mid-day ship’s time.

our ocean...

DAY 16 – 10TH December 2007

Position: 14º 51’ N 57º 33’ W
Bearing: 275º
Distance to go: 207 Nm

At last we had a reason to enjoy the 02.00 to 06.00 watch, the wind has come back to say hello and it’s come back in force. This boat loves to reach and the wind on the port beam is blowing her along beautifully. Perhaps someone on the crew sent a prayer explaining how we wanted to reach dry land sooner rather than later.

Late in the afternoon we watched as a boat was catching us up from astern. At 72 ft long “One too many” didn’t take long to reach us. They came abeam of us and we both took some pictures and video to share later on. It seemed strange to be sharing “our ocean” with someone else, it’s surprising how you get used to looking at an empty ocean. It wasn’t long until they headed off to starboard and we set up for our last night’s sailing.

The mood on our last night watch was upbeat but very tired. The amount of squalls we had dealt with recently had taken their toll. We had expected to be dealing with some squalls, but the occasional ferocity and duration had taken us by surprise sometimes. We are used to the rhythm of sailing the boat but I think all of us are ready for the final adventure; landfall.

A watch were punctual as ever to relieve us at 06.00, but the wind had been forcing us higher and higher over the last hour and so we stayed on deck for another 40 minutes to help gybe the boat. As much as you practise this manouvre during the day, it requires concentration and patience in the dark after being on watch for four hours. The last thing any of us would want is an accident this close to our destination.

We left A watch to hunt down the remaining miles and they did an admirable job. It’s surprising what kind of incentive an ice cold rum punch can be. Tomorrow we should be arriving and finishing a great adventure. One careful push should see us in St Lucia proud of a good job well done.


You can track the progress of Northern Child, which is updated every hour, on their web site at: northernchild.com

Starry, starry night...

DAY 15 - 9TH December 2007

Position: 15º 23' N 54º 39' W
Bearing: 280º
Distance to go: 372 Nm

Our favourite watch of the day is the 06.00 to 12.00 shift. This morning the sun slowly came up and gently filled our horizon with light. At first orange and then a brighter blue. With not much wind we were able to relax for a while and enjoy the quiet boat while most of the others were still asleep. This is the time of day that I will remember the most. Our immediate seascape feels like we are in a large 360º bubble. It's not a lonely feeling, more of a large private space belonging just to us.

We wouldn't want to enjoy other people's misfortune, however, today was the turn of A watch to get wet while on shift. Hooray. We didn't leave them alone on deck though as we took the opportunity to have a shower and wash our hair in the rain. As we changed watches the wind died prompting another swim. This was a quick dip though as the wind soon picked up. I'm not a bad swimmer but chasing the boat at 6 knots is definitely beyond me.

There were 2 changes during the afternoon, we swapped the headsails round as what wind we did have was now off the port beam and we adjusted our local time to GMT -3 hours. The final time change will be done when we land in St Lucia.

Just before dinner another cry of "whale" was heard. Rick spotted a whale within 10 metres of the boat. We're still looking through the whale book to identify it, snub nose and up to 15 metres long. It blew some water at us and swam away. This was a much more friendly approach than our last encounter.

After our gourmet pork chops in mustard sauce we played hunt the wind. Unfortunately it was hiding away.

We were joined on our 18.00 watch by Julian, Kate and Susie. With the wind making a guest appearance and the miles tumbling, the mood was relaxed and there was some great laughter under a bright starry sky. A wonderful start to the day and some good fun to end it. Perfect.


You can track the progress of Northern Child, which is updated every hour, on their web site at: northernchild.com

Fish Attack!

DAY 14 - 8TH December 2007

Position: 15º 47' N 52º 39' W
Bearing: 280º
Distance to go: 492 Nm

We took over from A watch at 02.00. They had seen a boat approaching for a while which came within 100m before it gybed away. By the time were on deck it was on the distant horizon. The wind was moving all the time and finally we realised we would need to gybe in the dark. And right on cue came the biggest squall so far. Horizontal rain, confused winds and an ever changing sea state made each movement around the deck quite tricky. And then it happened, whilst winching in the roller reefing out of the darkness it came, heading straight for me, with jaws open wide. A flying fish had chosen just this moment to leap aboard and take a direct line to me. The other crew on watch will say I screamed like a girl although I beg to differ. All I remember is a flapping fish laying beside me as instructions were sent my way to carry on winching. I did try to pick it up but between my squeamish nature and the rolling of the boat it escaped my attempts to get hold of it. Looking back now, I would guess it was at least 1 ft long, again there is some discrepancy and the others on watch say it was less than 3 inches. I'll leave it to you to decide which is closer to the truth! We finished the gybe successfully and finally the rain finished and hot chocolate was served.

After a little sleep we came back on deck to be told we had under 500 miles to go. Another milestone that we had all been waiting for. There is a lot of talk now of what is the best drink to have at the bar when we arrive. Hotel rooms are being dreamed of and hot , long showers are imagined. This talk is a lot of fun, but it also brings home the fact that our adventure is entering its final phase. Time to reflect and concentrate on enjoying the last few days.

The wind may be helping to prolong our trip as it is doing its best to play havoc with our plans. Coming and going, changing direction and driving some of the members of the crew mad. The best approach is to remember we are a sailing boat and we can only do what the wind will allow. At present it is allowing us to bobb around this rather large ocean. The only upside is that it makes it a lot easier to eat, and once again or chef supreme came up trumps with a homemade cheesecake and "the best bolognase in the world".

Early evening was spent watching lightning away on the horizon as the wind lazily came and went.


You can track the progress of Northern Child, which is updated every hour, on their web site at: northernchild.com