The final post from the Florida-Annapolis passage, PLUS an update on the many improvements Isbjorn is currently undergoing in the boatyard in Annapolis.
#isbjornsailing Passage Calendar Changes
Isbjorn Offshore: Hove-to!
Isbjorn Offshore: It's tough out here!
Don't let anybody tell you ocean sailing is easy. Of all the endurance sports I've dabbled in over the years - marathon running, triathlon, cross-country skiing, cycling - offshore sailing is easily the most grueling. In those other sports, no matter how knackered you are in the moment, you know you'll be in your bed that night.
Isbjorn Offshore: Weather from WRI, going direct to Annapolis!
Isbjorn Offshore: Ft. Lauderdale-Annapolis Passage, T-Minus 12 hours.
The full crew is here and we're preparing for our chart briefing dockside tonight in the canal by Pam Wall's house, just off the 17th Street Causeway in Ft. Lauderdale. The weather looks marginal and constantly changing, so we're keeping a close eye on that (and keeping options open for a potential detour to Savannah or Charleston).
Hanging with Pam Wall & Etienne Giroire!
It's been a fantasy-camp of sorts since we got to Florida the other day. Both Pam and Etienne are heroes of ours, so it's super-cool to hang out together now as friends. I still have to pinch myself that we're so lucky to get to do all this! We visited Etienne's shop yesterday down past the airport, and after our little sunset sail, he joined us at Pam's house for a wonderful meal Liz and Mia cooked up for us all. Then we spent the rest of the evening drinking wine and listening to Pam and Etienne tell stories.
Sailing to Cuba & Exploring Havana
Broadreach - Coolest Sailing Job Ever - Is Hiring Skippers & Mates!
Hey everybody! I just got word from my friends at Broadreach that they are hiring skippers and mates for the upcoming summer season, sailing out of St. Martin. Mia and I did four seasons with them, and it was the best experience I've ever had as a captain. I loved every minute of it. The season starts June 1 and goes through August. Full details, right from Broadreach, follow.
Cuba Ho! Becalmed in the Straights of Florida...
Guest Post: Liz K. (the intern: POV)
Light Air Sailing in the Old Bahama Channel
Greg and I are on watch. I just had my second cup of coffee, and Greg just re-appeared from the galley with his. Isbjorn is meandering along the north side of the shipping lanes in the Old Bahama Channel, about three miles off the Grand Bahama Bank, sailing slow with just the mainsail up (the jib was slatting too much).
Mid-day swim and afternoon breeze
Offshore to Havana: Trade wind sailing
Andy Schell & #isbjornracing featured on The World Sailing Show!
What Happened to Isbjorn’s Rudder?
This post is long overdue, but it’s the first chance I’ve had to sit down and write it. I’m typing this from the nav station on Isbjorn. We’re anchored in Grand Case, a pretty little bay on the French side of St. Martin. The wind is gusting down over the hills to the east, hitting the mid 30’s in the big puffs and whirling us around on the anchor. It’s Easter Sunday. Note: Scroll down to the bottom for detailed photos with captions on the whole repair.
Isbjorn's busted rudder bearing & a Caribbean 600 race recap.
I’m going to write a recap of the RORC Caribbean 600 - which I’ll say now, without a doubt, was one of the absolute highlights of my sailing career, even despite having to retire before the finish - but first, I’ll get straight to the higher point I want to make with this blog post. As of this morning, it’s official that Isbjorn will be back at the starting line of the 600 in 2017 in Antigua, hell bent on not only finishing the course, but winning our class. We’re changing our passage schedule to do it, and I can’t wait.
RORC Caribbean 600 - Isbjorn retired from race
RORC Caribbean 600 update
Isbjörn is well under way in the RORC Caribbean 600. The first 3 boats have already finished the race, with the trimaran Phadeo3 breaking the record from last year and finishing in just under 32 hours, impressive!
Isbjorn Racing: Crew preparations continue in Falmouth
There's just over 24 hours to go until the start, and less than that until Isbjorn leaves her anchorage in Falmouth and heads for the line. As I write, Paul and the crew are ashore having breakfast while I'm tidying up the boat, charging the batteries, making water and getting her ready to go out sailing today for a quick practice before tomorrow's race.
