January 2009
January 2, 2009
We drive back to Texas, drop Sarah off, and we were very sad, not sure when we will see that wonderful kid again! Of course we have summer planned, but that's a long time from now. We will miss her so much, that is one of the most difficult parts of this lifestyle!!!
We get back to the marina, unpack the car, we actually have less than we left with, that's a plus! The Latiolais family also gave us SPOT for Christmas. We will set that up on the website; getting excited about the trip. We decided to change plans a head for Mexico..... maybe we will cross with Lee, we'll see.
January 7, 2009
I want to go! Full moon is on the 11th. Wind is lass than 10 from the west. Cold front predicted Saturday the 10th.
Still no dodger, still packing, still need to weld aluminum stanchion for lifeline.... can't leave yet!
January 8, 2009
Chris from Cokabee Canvas installed new dodger canvas today. It is beautiful!
Welding machine still broken. Packed bikes. Checked weather report. Wind still out of the West - Perfect!
We pickup Sarah fro Dinner tonight. She spoke of traveling - Olympics - and Spelunkering - even the Grand Canyon. We are all pretty sad, we will miss each other.
January 9, 2009
Barometer: 1000 Wind: Calm Temperature: 70
Boat projects all day!! I cut the broken stantion off and had it welded at a machine shop. Last minute Walmart trip then.... break time!!! Lee buys us cheeseburgers and a beer at T-bone Toms.
We untie from the slip at sunset with the send off from Doug, mv Boomerang. Anchor at Redfish island for the night. Jargo is anchored close by.
E running fever, goes to bed early.
January 10, 2009
Engine Hours: 2352 Weather: Foggy, occasional rain, no wind Temperature: High 60
good cold front on the way - we are screwing up our courage and preparing to go. Head plugged AGAIN!!!! Redo the hoses AGAIN! Run new steering lines for the Aries . Eat leftover steak, asparagus and smash potato for breakfast.
Up anchor around 11 am Flying double reef main only, and making 8 knots over ground riding the ebb tide!
Clear Galveston jetty at 1415 (2:15). and hoist the #3 jib (seconded smallest jib). A pitiful 4.5 knots but almost 7 knots over ground with ebb tide.
First wave in the cockpit 1530. Aries windvane steering a great course.
Wind gusting 30, boat speed 7 - 8 knots. Good 1st night, two checkups with Lee from SV Jargo.
January 11, 2009
0900 Weather: Cloudy, rain, cold Seas: 4-6 Wind: 15 from Northeast (NE) Speed: 6-7 knots
Dolphins around SOEL at 1st light. 1100 update: 24 hours = 152 miles!!! N 27.55.520 W 092.37.380 Good Start!!!
Already lost contact with Jargo, "concerned, but hopeful," is the phrase of the afternoon. I hope T-Boy (Lee's Cajun nickname), enjoys his first big passage.
Full moon lifted about 1830 with a splendid Red/orange glow over the whitecaps. the higher it got the whiter and brighter it became. Woke up Elizabeth to watch the moonrise.... Damn, that girl can sleep on a boat.
January 12, 2009
0600 Weather: no rain, no sun Seas: 2-4 with an occasional 8 Wind: force 4 (11-16 knots)
Still no contact with SV Jargo.
First flying fish on deck. Aries needs fairlead for steer lines (starboard line chafing badly), also lock pin for drum will not stay engaged. (works great now - Cajun engineered with Velcro)
Elizabeth is finally feeling better. She kept down Gatorade, noodles and this morning, peanut butter on toast.
Speed down to 5 - 6 knots. wind up force 5 forward of the beam; North of East about 75 degrees.
I'm flying a single reef main #3 jib and the GPS over ground speed has dropped below 4 knots????
1100 update: 24 hours = 146 miles Total: 298
January 13, 2009
0600 Weather: Cloudy Wind: Force 6 (22 - 27 knots) Seas: 6-8
I should have listened to Elizabeth yesterday when she said, "It warmed up so much, I took off my jacket." What this meant was - we sailed too far east and entered the Northern most loop of the Gulf Stream. We now had a 2.5 knot current against us. My 1800 position report showed us only 22 miles from our noon position. Ouch!!!
Wind died around 2200 and we finally made contact with Jargo!!!! T-Boy is good! All is well.
Ran the motor all night. Engine hours: 2359
1100 update: 24 hour = only 100 miles Total 397
January 14, 2009
0700 Weather: sunny Wind: NE 10 knots or less Seas: 2-3 Temperature: 70 Barometer: 1004 rising
"Mackerel sky's and Mares tails make tall ships carry short sails"
Means a good blow is coming! The Aries was having a tough time trying to operate in the light air yesterday, so I clicked on "Ray," the autopilot, and ran the motor for another 5 hours.
The waves increased first, then the wind picked up, and about six hours later, the wheel drive came apart! Damn Raymarine! I have replaced 3 of the 4 components that make up the autopilot system, since July 2007. What a piece of crap! So glad we have the Aries, but it has it's issues too! In light winds, you have to babysit it.
Caught Tuna at first light.
Flying #2 jib and full main. Aries works flawlessly. Beautiful sailing!
1100 update: 24 hours = 135 miles Total: 530....... 130 to go!!!!!
January 15, 2009
0700 Weather: Cloudy Winds: Force 6 (22 - 27) Seas: 4-6
Reef main at sundown. And wind continues to build
2200 Finally made contact with Lee from Jargo..... He is not far behind us. He should make it in about 4 hours after us. He sounds good! I'm so happy I can't sleep.
0200 swap jib to # 3
0300 Double reef main
0430 Spot Isla Contoy lighthouse; E on watch, lighthouse goes out right when Oscar wakes up..... What happened to the lighthouse? No Light?? What Da ????
0800 Wind force 7 and gusting higher. don't ask about the waves in the YUCK-a-tan channel.
0915 safely over the reef at Anvil rock - surf a wave over the bar doing about 15 knots, should have had the video camera on for that.... Sarah would have said, "that was fun... do it again daddy!" 135 miles in 22 hours, we were MOVING! wanted to get in before the big blow starts... We made 75 miles in the last 10 hours.... WooHoo!!!!
1030 All safe - anchored - popped a beer! Celebrate safe arrival..... Now - where's Lee???
1400 Jargo is in; visited for a minute, drank a beer; headed over to Marina Paraiso to talk about weather, mooring, and use of the facilities. Ran back to Jargo, discussed weather: we decided to head to marina for the next few days due to weather. We just didn't want to worry about dragging anchor or anyone else dragging......
(the next morning our neighbor in the anchorage, started dragging about 4:30 am! Glad we came in to the marina).
