23:20 UTC | 28°44.587’ N 058°84.368’W
Navigation table, Adrienne II
Bright sunny day, warm, somewhere in the North Atlantic (see tracking map). Blowing 15 to 25 knots.
Hello friends and family, Adrienne had a mellow departure from Simpson Bay just about 4 pm on Sunday.
Apparently in the two days since then we’ve sailed over 375 miles. We’ve averaged over 8 kts in seas that are light but make themselves big once they wash over the deck, and sometimes over the biminis.
The first 24 hours included a bit of everything, from the excitement of going under the raised bridge, to a magnificent weather briefing by Captain Erik, raising of the main and cutter jib (staysail) — then cruising south of Sint Maarten, then coming around to get on a course sort of aimed for the Canary Isles.
Monday evening we had a weather/routing brief as we ate a delightful meal. Lots of questions, and as with anything about weather and waves and humans, it’s all subject to change. And healthy banter about the solutions.
We have one small reef in the main. Haven’t set the genoa yet, really no need with the great trade winds.
Tuesday morning until now (3 pm local) we’ve been rain-blessed with stellar sailing conditions. The breeze is such that we’ve been sailing close-hauled, and bearing off to a broad reach when we can.
In the run-up to lunch the helm person did not see the large wave we were heading for.
When our good steed Adrienne II came up from the wave several crew on the foredeck got sloshed.
In addition to the great weather and sailing, we’ve also discovered outstanding shipmates and crew. I met a few of them in town before getting aboard: Linda, from Texas, veteran ocean sailor; Bert, flown in from outside Berlin, now a retired oil person with lots of long-distance trips under his belt with many more planned; Simon, flown in from the UAE, has sailed on plenty of sailing boats and is hoping for inspiration to get a boat of his own; Bartek, from Poland, also into software; Knut, in from the Netherlands, also in the software field.
Your writer has varied boating background — but is excited to see what it feels like to sail across the ocean. I came aboard with lots of questions to see how their solutions might fit on my own boat.
At the end of the day we have the chance to comment on the glums and glows.
As to the glums: some of my shipmates have been suffering from mal de mer and there’s been a few technical issues, yet our excellent crew of Erik, Delaney, and Anton leap into action when called for. You can’t ask for anything more. So those problems could also be seen as glows.
Other glow experiences to speak of today is the joy when a crew-mate rallies out of his seasickness, or the captain hand-delivers just the perfect wrap while you’re at the helm.
// Molly, ADRIENNE II Crew
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The Human Factor
Thus our existence slowly reverted to a much simpler form of being. We start to notice the smaller things, we start looking up and around, we start observing our thoughts. Sailing can be a great social accelerator. Sharing hardship and milestones, friendships are born and evolve at a speed that would seem impossible from land. And after those three weeks spent with you, I am getting ready to leave our vessel with the profound conviction that those bonds will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
The Penultimate Blog from Adrienne II
After 20 days, and 3000+ nautical miles, we're back on land. The motley crew of Adrienne II, consisting of 7 happy amateurs supported by 3 professionals, have completed an epic journey many dream of but few realize. So much of this trip has been about being present - with nature, with each other, with this boat. My biggest takeaway from this trip is the amazing crossing of the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). We all hope you've enjoyed the blog as much as we've enjoyed creating it.
Mother Nature, you’ve outdone yourself!
It’s been a great experience to have a non-traditional trans-Atlantic, as it’s been packed with genuinely cool features. The Doldrums!! A place sailors have been talking about for centuries. The unpredictability is what made it such an exhilarating experience. While some might be frightened or alarmed by this kind of weather, I was embodied with a sense of calm and awe. There’s something wildly beautiful about being reminded how small you are, while feeling so incredibly alive.