My First Solo Passage !

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by kb79

just out of curiosity, what was your sleep/watch schedule?

Interesting. And I will see how it goes on this leg just starting cos its 1040 nms.

When in the deep ocean we have always used the 20 minute timer to let the on watch person sleep if the shipping is pretty light.
I dont think ships these days (see theread on reduced speed save ships fuel) get from the horizon to the boat in less than 30 mins. I am now a good judge of where a ship is going and when called up on deck by Nic I can tell her in 5 seconds if its on a collision course. (Thats not to say I am not extremely careful!!)

And I can set the timer for 5 minutes or 10 mins if there are ships near so I feel comfortable to doze.

So I bought an extra timer, and an alarm clock. So have 3 things ringing me to tell me i'm sleeping!

The other 'principle' I am working on is that I am always off watch.
That way I do the bare minimum work and sleep or relax the most I can. The last leg I was able to sleep on deck so thats where I was for 90% of my time. On deck unless cooking etc.

I am expecting much slower passage times, reduced sail, and only doing essential chores etc.

I did find the last passage very relaxing and I am interested to see what this one will be like because the wind should be 15-20 up the butt.

and lots of ships. But I think they will stay mainly in shipping lanes.

I'm really interested to see how it goes. The first 3 miles have been relaxed enough to write this. And this morning I visited the fuel dock and got the boat in and out fine and happy with the anchor retrieval etc.


Its just another learning game.


Mark 1037 miles to go...

[xxuxx]

Just beware at Latitude 26 something of the Serpents that come from the deep...kinda like Humbolt Squid but much larger. They also are nocturnal and carry a fierce venom both in their bite and in their tail. I am sorry I can't remember their name but one can look it up. Deadly man, they can be deadly. Ask my brother...he is dead by one.

[Stillraining]

Never had a worry about you mate....go for it..I would

[DeepFrz]

Well done Mark, the first leg is always the most difficult. Looking forward to your posts. Bon voyage.

[MarkJ]

30 knots up the butt, double reefed main and no genoa and doing fine.
LOL I am enjoying it

Just passing some cape so thought I would download some weather


Mark

[Stillraining]

Sounds like fun!..

Miles to Go?...come on Mate keep up will ya..

[boatman61]

Hey Mark... nice one.. glad your initiation to solo passages was a benign one, its good to get the 'Bogeyman' outa the way quietly.
As for your Gib to the Canaries leg, personally... once clear of the Straits I'd head for Portugal and Portimao where there's a good anchorage to lay in while you stock up on any last minute needs and top up your water tanks in a friendly marina for free.
Then an easy daysail to Sagres drop the hook for the night, early rise and a quick run west the next morning to clear St Vincent and the shipping lanes before dark then swing SSW for the Canaries early evening..
I've known a few folks who've come a cropper running down the African side.. two of whom were rolled and lost their masts.... they were a tad smaller at 30ft but....
The Atlantic East to West is a milk run, the coastal legs solo are more stressful by far....
But whatever you go for have fun and stay safe...

PS; My Night sailing is done with reefed down main and Genoa out to what evers comfortable, that way if anything sudden happens while asleep I only have the Genny to worry about which can be done without leaving the cockpit

[Ex-Calif]

Always conservative and a great thinker on the boat - Well done my friend.

Keep downloading the weather and stay safe!

[maxingout]

PS; My Night sailing is done with reefed down main and Genoa out to what evers comfortable, that way if anything sudden happens while asleep I only have the Genny to worry about which can be done without leaving the cockpit[/QUOTE]

You are a man after my own heart. A roller furling genoa and a reefed main mean that there won't be any dramas after dark. I like that.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I am now seriously considering doing the whole atlantic thing by myself.

Funnily enough I would think the Atlantic trip to be the easist of the legs from here.

Anyway, I'd be interested in people thoughts and advice

I'm still explainably sad about your solo status. Regardless, I agree that the Atlantic trip might be more easy. ("easist"--sorry, I'm unable to employ such a term.)

The big question is: how are you going to make it to California? I've already got the beers chilled. Hope you don't mind that I didn't brew them myself. Let me know if you need help plotting a course.

Glad to hear you're fine. I've been in the UK for the past couple of weeks, and found myself wondering what had become of you.

I suppose it's good to keep moving; congrats on that.

[witzgall]

Way to go Mark!

Do you have AIS?

Chris

[DeepFrz]

Hey Mark, I see you are posting again, but where are you? Good to see you back.