Thursday, July 10, 2025 | Hours before departure…
Steph and Ken, by far the most novice sailors on this trip, notched their first offshore overnight—though not without suffering a bit (maybe more than a bit in Steph’s case) of what we’ll just call “Neptune’s Revenge.” Despite that, we both bounced back quickly, and Steph, as we speak, is capably steering her first rotation at the helm.
The seas have been pretty big and rolling, at least from this novice’s point of view, and the winds are at levels that would keep me off my local lake. But Falken is solid, fast, and stable, and the crew—both pros and clients—are capable, experienced, and great company!
At the moment, we’re flying main (2nd reef), staysail, and yankee, and barreling along at about 9 knots. No glums. All glows from this sailor.
- Ken Tothero | FALKEN Crew
FALKENCrew
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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!