Almost exactly halfway across the Atlantic Ocean, we had a perfect day of downwind sailing, followed by a perfect sunset with a very light evening breeze. Our sail rig is “butterfly” — gennaker and poled-out 130% Genoa.
On passage in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas between Primosten, Croatia, and the Straits of Messina, we saw a lot of dolphins — as we have all over the world. Most of the time, though, by the time I grab the camera they are gone. This Adriatic pod stayed with Read more…
In my view, successful voyaging is dependent on successful preparation. Nothing is easier or more effective than a good checklist. Here is the checklist we used prior to any departure. For All Open-Ocean Trips, Including Daysails Get weather report Print log sheets for passage & next port Set out all Read more…
Statistics from the Logbook June 1998 through December 2000 (Florida to New Zealand) From departure until January 1, 2001, Heartsong III sailed 12,000 miles and visited 70 different ports (some more than once) and 17 different countries or island groups. We have averaged about 650 nautical miles per month, including one multi-day Read more…
Here is the watch schedule and task list we kept for the 6-day passage from Tonga to New Zealand. Hours Watch Task Time Radio Freq Notes 0900 ALAN Morning Check engine fluids 0900 Log entries hourly and at any major event or change. Don’t forget to take some photos Read more…
In November 1999, we departed Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga, for Whangarei, New Zealand. The passage took six exhilarating days. Even though we had lumpy seas and 25-40 knots of wind most of the way, we were very happy to get across this notoriously dangerous bit of ocean without incident. When Read more…
In April 1999, we completed our transit of the Panama Canal and set sail across the Pacific Ocean. First stop was the Galapagos Islands, where we spent several weeks of eco-touring land travel. For the 6-day passage to the Galapagos from Panama, we had light winds on the nose almost Read more…