Day 11
June 5, 2024 | 13:30 UTC
Yesterday at 1800, exactly as forecast, the wind filled in from the NE. We put Falken on a port tack, unfurled the jib, stopped the engine, and sailed in a gentle breeze on a close-hauled course, dead on course to a waypoint a few miles south of the Capelinhos lighthouse on the westernmost point of Faial. The sky cleared just before darkness fell, and the crew had a final night to steer by the stars. Falken slipped along silently on an inky ocean, and we slowly caught up with the last few boats of the ARC Europe who had left Bermuda four days before us.
By the time the sun came over the horizon, Faial was in sight and we had passed several of the ARC yachts. Behind Faial, the towering volcano of Pico dominated the background—a truly magnificent sight after almost 2000nm at sea. As we rounded the island to the south, the wind died, only to come back with full velocity as we entered the channel between the two islands. We dropped the mainsail just outside the busy harbor and made our way in. With the whole ARC fleet present, there was no pontoon space, nor was there barely any space behind the protected breakwater. With no other option, we anchored near the harbor entrance in about 10m depth. With a fresh to strong breeze and a slight swell running directly into the harbor, we paid out 55 meters of chain plus the snubber.
With Falken sitting securely at anchor, we relaxed in the cockpit with a glass of Prosecco and celebrated a successful voyage. Eleven days at sea and 1989nm sailed.
- Chris
ChrisKobusch
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Ketch us if you Kan
Falken is soon to carry on our preferred route of South, back to (hopefully) warmer climates. We’re all excited to set off and see more of this wild landscape as we head down to Victoria. A thermal trough over Vancouver combined with an offshore high pressure creating funneling NW’ly winds means it is due to be pretty fruity on the 9th. This passage is just under 600 miles, relatively short for Falken, but I’m sure we’ll be kept entertained with dramatic scenery, wildlife and weather!
Final Blog
Falken and her crew arrived safely into port last night around 8pm boat time, 10pm Prince Rupert time. Some spicy weather was anticipated, but luckily the 35kt gusts and 2.5 meter waves were no match for this expert crew. We had an exceptionally smooth docking, despite it being Alex's first time parking this year (!). We all agreed that this was a very special group of people—I for one am so impressed with how everyone stayed so positive, helpful, and appreciative of humor despite an arguably challenging passage. We'll all return home significantly saltier than we were when we left, a mark of a passage properly sailed.
Lessons and a Gift
The biggest lesson is the helm. The lesson here is that even if you don't think you can do it over and over again with no sleep, cold and damp, it has to be done and so it can be done. Flying fish are cool, dolphins are really really cool, but the coolest of them all are the whales. And most of all Alex: "Find your center Carla. Always know where your center is so you can come back to it". He means the helm but it applies to life as well.