Just arrived in Branford, CT from Bermuda

davidpm · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010

Left last Sat PM on a Farr 395 with 7 guys to return a boat to its home port after the Newport-Bermuda race.

We got beat up quite a bit.
Sustained 30 knots of wind with gusts over 40 with seas at least 20' for about 36 hours, motoring under storm stay-sail.
Total trip was about 110 hours.
During the trip we had:
Significant water in the bilge that we had to bail buy bucket as all 5 pumps had problems.
Deck instruments failed.
Engine warning buzzer was on for a day and half.
Ran down to less than a quarter tank of fuel.
Sound like a sledge hammer on the hull as the boat hit waves (needs to be checked for structural damage)
Misc. electrical stuff was on the fritz.
Pumps didn't seem to work properly.

As soon as we cleared Montaulk we had a perfect night sail all rest of the way.

Tempest · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010

Wow David! So how do you feel? exhausted? You'll feel like you're still on the boat for about a week...

Would you do it again? looking forward to a detailed after action report when you've rested up. Like, what's up with the electronics? Tough to re-fuel in those conditions!

7 guys is a lot of people for a 39 foot boat..must have been miserable down below. I had similar weather on a bermuda run and found myself sleeping in the cockpit well just to get some fresh air..lol.

Glad you made it home safe!

CalebD · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010

Welcome back David.
Sounds a little rough. Much rougher then Brad, Lucas and I had going from Glen Cove to Montauk while you were on route from Bermuda.
Ditto what the Tempest has already said.

WanderingStar · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010

Welcome home. Any trip you can walk away from isn't too bad. Interested to hear the story, glad you're home safe.

davidpm · #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tempest

Wow David! So how do you feel? exhausted? You'll feel like you're still on the boat for about a week...

Would you do it again? looking forward to a detailed after action report when you've rested up. Like, what's up with the electronics? Tough to re-fuel in those conditions!

7 guys is a lot of people for a 39 foot boat..must have been miserable down below. I had similar weather on a bermuda run and found myself sleeping in the cockpit well just to get some fresh air..lol.

Glad you made it home safe!

There were 4 berths below for 6 guys. The captain reserved his own private berth.
Each of the 4 berths were a different form of hell.
1. Port upper: Only one with fan but no lee cloths and was on upwind side the whole way. You could not really even attempt to sleep because you needed to hang on. Very hard to get in an out of.
2. Port lower: Full lee cloth but an oven
3. Starboard lower: Probably best but usually occupied by an A team member.
4. Starboard upper: Had to share with gear

Sleeping in cockpit was on option but since we were taking on water ever few minutes it was not really sleeping in the traditional sense.

The concept of sanitation was pretty much gone after the first 24 hours.

Mirari · #6 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010

Glad you survived! It's always good to be back home after a tough passage In time you always forget the bad and just remember the good! I've done 3 passages to Bermuda and in every single one of them I had great conditons down and terrible conditions on the way back. Last year's Bermuda 1-2 return tested the entire fleet. Lots of damage through out the fleet. Some of us recorded 50 knot gusts and really crappy Gulfsteam conditions. My pumps, Brand new Raymarine Autopilot and other electrics also failed. Also I tore a bulhed free from the big drops. The good thing is these events are learning opportunites on changes needed for yourself, boat and equipment. Welcome home

JohnRPollard · #7 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010

David,

Glad you're back safe.

Sorry it was a less than idyllic trip. Some of the modern race and cruising boats can really abuse their crew in the right conditions. Sounds like you had a great opportunity to experience the "joys" of a flat-bottomed, slab-sided hull form. Fast, yes, but comfortable?

Still and all, you're home safe and have more experience under your belt.

rockDAWG · #8 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010

Wow.... welcome home. Going through hell and live to tell your story is the greatest adventure all the all. I wish I could experience what you just had.

Fair winds and calm seas from now on

rockDAWG · #9 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpm

The concept of sanitation was pretty much gone after the first 24 hours.

You mean your guys did not wash each other or no one changed his underwear.

davidpm · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockDAWG

You mean your guys did not wash each other or no one changed his underwear.

You asked for the details

6 guys sharing 4 bunks
Approaching 100 degrees below decks
4" of water in the head compartment due to a leak (unknown material in said water)
Your feet had to be in the water to use the head
Some crew had different ideas as to the location of the feet and head for a given birth
No showers, baby wipes at most.
My pack was buried in the fore-peak for about 3/4s of the trip so I had no gear at all other than the clothes on my back and my weather gear.