Going to Sea - Page 2

JohnRPollard · #11 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009

BillyR,

Very envious here. We'll look forward to your trip report on the far end.

Fair winds and "safe home."

bubb2 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009

Scott we are with you. Enjoy your trip!

drobarge · #13 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009

perhaps the best advice i've ever expierenced...... keep a good log.

drobarge · #14 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009

perhaps the best advice ever given... keep a good log..

billyruffn · #15 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

My appologies for not getting back sooner with a passage report.... I'm back in the cold for Christmas and headed south again in a few days. Internet access in the islands is not good or cheap, so I've not been 'on line' much.

In short, we had a very fast trip south -- 1400++ miles in a few hours under 8 days. Most of it on one tack. Crew and boat were magnificient. The only thing we broke was the preventer on an accidental jibe -- when the dumbsh** on the helm (could it have been the skipper??) was spending his time coaching the crew when he should have been looking at the compass (or at least attentive to to how the wind was hitting the back of his neck).
It was a great sail with 20+ on the port quarter the whole trip. Caught a 15# yellowfin tuna the fourth day out which provided a really good main course one night and two platters of extraordinary sashami the next night. The day before we arrived I told the crew we needed a fresh fish for our arrival dinner. Four hours later we had a 40" mahi under the fileting knife.

I've spent most of the time to date in the USVI. Weather is very nice -- always 80 something (water and air). The national park on St John is probably the finest example of taxpayers dollars at work I've seen anywhere. It truly is "America's Paradise".

Next week we'll kiss the grandkids goodbye and head back to the boat. We plan to head south over the winter ending up in Trinidad for the hurricane season. May not be able to post much in the interim, but I wish you all a happy holiday and fair winds. (I find that "following seas" are overrated).

Garffin · #16 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

All I can say is I hope the food is warm and the wind is fair. Happy holidays to you and the crew. Dan

JohnRPollard · #17 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyruffn

My appologies for not getting back sooner with a passage report.... I'm back in the cold for Christmas and headed south again in a few days. Internet access in the islands is not good or cheap, so I've not been 'on line' much.

In short, we had a very fast trip south -- 1400++ miles in a few hours under 8 days. Most of it on one tack. Crew and boat were magnificient. The only thing we broke was the preventer on an accidental jibe -- when the dumbsh** on the helm (could it have been the skipper??) was spending his time coaching the crew when he should have been looking at the compass (or at least attentive to to how the wind was hitting the back of his neck).
It was a great sail with 20+ on the port quarter the whole trip. Caught a 15# yellowfin tuna the fourth day out which provided a really good main course one night and two platters of extraordinary sashami the next night. The day before we arrived I told the crew we needed a fresh fish for our arrival dinner. Four hours later we had a 40" mahi under the fileting knife.

I've spent most of the time to date in the USVI. Weather is very nice -- always 80 something (water and air). The national park on St John is probably the finest example of taxpayers dollars at work I've seen anywhere. It truly is "America's Paradise".

Next week we'll kiss the grandkids goodbye and head back to the boat. We plan to head south over the winter ending up in Trinidad for the hurricane season. May not be able to post much in the interim, but I wish you all a happy holiday and fair winds. (I find that "following seas" are overrated).

billyr,

Great to hear from you! Sounds like you had a spectacular voyage. Sorry about the preventer -- hopefully you flogged the knucklehead.

Have a great holiday and we'll look forward to your dispatches as and when you're able. Safe sailing. - JRP

smackdaddy · #18 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

Sounds incredible BillyR. Thanks for the update. You are living right my good man.

Keep us updated as you can.

imagine2frolic · #19 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009

Sweet daily average on getting there! Enjoy Christmas with the family & be safe on the boat.........i2f

Faster · #20 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009

Great to hear from you again.... now, what place is that again?