Departure
After two days of thorough training on shore, learning the systems, doing dry drills, and learning about what to look for when purchasing a boat, FALKEN and her crew are ready for the next stage of this Sail Training: the Offshore phase! The plan is to head towards some of the Channel Islands as we drill different scenarios under way, from nailing reefing and sail trimming to storm tactics, MOB, and abandoning ship. Weather looks fun for the first night with a little front coming our way before lightening the next couple of days. Everyone is looking forward to what’s going to be a very intense three nights offshore! Updates soon,
Alex | FALKEN Skipper
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Seasickness
But maybe, I thought, with some drugs I could stay ahead of it. The first 48 hours I felt horrible. But luckily with 3 health care professionals on board and in a very encouraging environment, my body found its way. Anyway, someone offered me a patch (unavailable in Canada) and someone else gave me some pills for nausea and now I feel much, much better.
Dolphins and Bioluminescence
We had a good run with the sails but weather has changed and we are once again chasing the wind. Everyone is getting a chance to practice helming in big swell; starting to get a feel of the wind and water and how it pushes and pulls the hull. A pod of dolphins came to visit at night, splashing in the bioluminescent water, and again in the day, dancing in the bow wake. For now enjoying the calmer sea state and falling asleep to the rumble of the engine and the gentle whooshing of the water on the hull.
Greetings from Lala Lemonshark
The brave crew is toughing it out and staying cheerful despite being tossed around. The engine is off and we are true sailing-main and jib. In the first 12 hours we saw two pods of Orca and four humpback whales, two of which were 20 yards off the starboard beam!