From Cabo Verde to the Equator - First 15 days

Due to the lack of a high speed internet connections needed for big slideshow uploads here you find a makeshift without many pictures. With our time share we are strictly aiming at 10% sailing and 90% country and people discovery but strangely most questions of friends are about the sailing life. So please find below a kind of diary of a typical trip lasting several days. This log book extract of a 26 days trip is meant to let you know how our board live is alike when we are offshore for several weeks. We do not want to bore you with ever repeating sail constellations, position and course details etc. as in so many deadly boring books and have omitted the really navigational details. This log book extract (only for the 1st 15 days until equator) is meant to let you know how our board live is alike when we are offshore for several weeks.  The only thing to say about the last part, from the equator to Brasil, is that we could hardly wait to arrive and that wind conditions were better and better the more south we came.

Each day´s entry covers the following chapters:
- Board live and navigation
- Observations
- Day log
- Log data
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Position Report and Log, all times UTC
Departure: Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cabo Verde, Su., 17. May 2009, 1400
Destination (NEW): Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, as port of entry
Ev. Cabedelo, Brazil, as port of entry, eventually Fernando de Noronha, depending on progress
Distance: 1960 nm = 3630 km, direct course would be 204°, meaning much more south than west
Next waypoint: Equator 26°W, then change course to Brasil in easterly winds south of doldrums
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REPORT for Su./Mo., 17./18. May 2009:
BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- Farewell from french neighbours.
- Least stressy departure yet, just relaxed, no important roadworks anymore, GREAT!
- Could buy something for the harbour key deposit, no Escudos left.
- Course and waves so easy that we can sleep in forecabin.
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OBSERVATIONS:
- VHF dead calm.
- Great trade wind sailing, not wind enough though.
- New wind steering control lines made of chain are doing well.
- Canary stream going SW still helpful. Soon leading into northern equatorial stream going W.
- LORBAS sails well in light wind with all sails set 100%.
- Flying fish is jumping on Claudias feet (2 m over the rail net!). Kicked into cockpit suction pipe.
- Surprisingly quiet under deck. No noise in waves, everything stored properly, 1st time!
- LORBAS never was so far south as far as we know. She seems to please us with excellent behavior on her old days.
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DAY LOG:
1400 Departure in Mindelo
0600 Down to 2,5 kn, 100% blue sky
1630 Back to 4,5 kn
2030 5,0 - 5,5 kn
2045 Night watch Thomas
2145 Bigship crossing our wake in 3 sm distance from NE to SW, towards South America?
2200 Very nice sailing
1115 Set main sail, making 5,5 kn instead of 4,5 kn at 2 bft
1145 6 h to go until CPA to Brava in 28 nm east
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LOG DATA:
- ETA: 31. May. 0300 UTC (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- LAT/LON: 15°21.65N / 25°12.58 W (position coordinates)
- SOG: 5,7 kn = 10.5 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 184° (bearing, bee-line course)
- CTS: 184° (course to steer)
- Total LOG: 4630 nm = 8575 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- Day LOG: 101 nm = 187 km (only 23 h distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 101 nm = 187 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 1512 nm = 2800 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 12d (time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 2 Bft ENE
- WAVES: 1 m, very nice
- VISIBILITY: moderate to good
- SKY: 70 % cloud coverage
- WATER TEMP: 22 DEGC
- AIR TEMP: 25 DEGC
- MOON RISE: 0232 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 1442
- SUN RISE: 0711
- SUN SET: 2003
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BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- Thomas got used to sailing again, no seasickness, can cook under deck.
- Claudia still a bit uncomfortable.
- Claudia identifies star constellation flying fish (sic!) and southern cross right ahead.
- Our course is leading straight to the star constellation flying fish.
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OBSERVATIONS:
- VHF dead calm.
- LORBAS is not rolling so much with set main sail.
- 2 bigships seen this night departing Cabo Verde, no more since
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DAY LOG:
1145 6 h to go until CPA to Brava in 28 nm east
1400 Main sail up 100%, making 5.5 to 6.5 kn
1700 Brava abeam in 28 nm E but not visible, now we are going some 1000 nm distant to land
1700 4 bft, reef 1 in main sail, was hard to keep course luffing, now course 184° without speed loss
1800 4-5 bft, 2,5 m waves, reef 2 in main sail, 6.0 - 6.5 kn, XTE 5 nm
1900 Flying fish found dead on foredeck, wow, freebord plus rail net is more than 2 m heigth
1930 Night watch Claudia
2230 Night watch Thomas
0100 Bigship passing parallel in 3 nm distance, direction Praia, coming from SW (South America?)
2245 Calm 1 bft but 4 kn, must be current
changed course to SW as long as Aries can hold it to find more wind as predicted in GRIB files
0215 Bigship crossing our bearing in 4 nm distance, heading W (US? Caribean?), indian music in VHF
0300 Visibility only moderate
0300 Claudia on nicht watch
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LOG DATA:
- ETA: 31. May. 0300 UTC (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- LAT/LON: 13°30.20 N / 25°23.54 W (position coordinates)
- SOG: 5,0 kn = 10.5 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 184° (bearing, bee-line course)
- CTS: 160° (course to steer)
- Total LOG: 4755 nm = 8806 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- Day LOG: 115 nm = 213 km (distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 216 nm = 400 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 1400 nm = 2593 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 11d 15 h(time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 2 Bft ENE
- WAVES: 1 m, very nice
- VISIBILITY: moderate
- SKY: 80 % cloud coverage
- WATER TEMP: 22 DEGC
- AIR TEMP: 25 DEGC
- MOON RISE: 0232 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 1442
- SUN RISE: 0711
- SUN SET: 2003
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REPORT for Tu./We., 19./20. May 2009:
BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- Claudia more comfortable now.
- Calm weather, fortunately not much swell also
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OBSERVATIONS:
- VHF calm, some russian and indian voives, but behind horizon
- Nice calm, much time to read and relax
- 1 bigship at night, possibly one of the giant fish factory ocean killers
- So few wind is nerve killing
- Next days will be dark nights near new moon, many opportunities to study star constellations
- Listened to Deutsche Welle on shortwave, no exciting news from Germany, only complains about economy, BBC is much more interesting
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DAY LOG:
1300 1 bft NNE,sails down, just drifting
1800 1 - 2 bft, but flat sea, sails up 100%, 4kn, must be current!
2000 Strange incident with bigship, giving way 2 nm before CPA, was heading W, then sharp turn to N,
very slow also, crossed our wake less than 1 nm astern, then continued to go W
very much illuminated, visible for 3 hours
2200 Main sail in reef 2, because genoa is in wind shadow
2300 Uninteresting radio news from Germany
1000 calm, 1 - 2 bft, main fully reefed, 100% genoa, frustrating
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LOG DATA:
- Next waypoint: 5° N / 26° W, estimated doldrums border
- ETA: 01. Jun. 0300 UTC (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- LAT/LON: 12°23.18 N / 25°38.80 W (position coordinates)
- SOG: 2,8 kn = 5,2 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 183° (bearing, bee-line course to next waypoint)
- CTS: 225°, SW (course to steer for given wind conditions)
- Total LOG: 4838 nm = 8960 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- Day LOG: 83 nm = 154 km (distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 299 nm = 553 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 1332 nm = 2467 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 27d (time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 2 Bft NNE
- WAVES: 0,5 m
- VISIBILITY: moderate
- SKY: 90 % cloud coverage
- WATER TEMP: 22°C
- AIR TEMP: 25°C
- CABIN TEMP: 28°c
- MOON RISE: 0348 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 1622, decrescent, almost new moon
- SUN RISE: 0717
- SUN SET: 2001
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REPORT for We./Th., 20./21. May 2009:
BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- Calm weather, fortunately not much swell also, much time to read and relax.
- Sea so flat at night that Claudia could sleep in forecabin.
- Thomas catches sunburn on his shoulders.
- Fishing success (see log).
- Need more wind for fridge and computers, otherwise motoring tomorrow for an hour.
- A bit slow, but as long as we make 4 kn we prefer this easy sailing with no waves.
- Everything is easier now, cooking, washing, fishing and even reading because hanging around is more comfortable.
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OBSERVATIONS:
- VHF quiet but one call from Dakar more than 500 nm! Reflections?
- LORBAS is quite fast without waves even in light winds, but aren’t that all boats?
- No other ships seen this day
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DAY LOG:
1230 Calm, 1 - 2 bft, main fully reefed, 100% genoa
1320 Changed selfsteering to electrical autopilot, vindvane was not sensitive enough anymore.
1530 Autopilot is doing well with 100% genoa only, can hold 25° to ideal downwind course.
1600 Still downwind tacking +/- 25° to ideal course, direct course not possible.
1930 12°06,88N 25°43,67W Dakar Port Control on VHF for bigship (more than 500 nm!), bigship heard as well.
1930 Only 2 kn but autopilot is doing great.
2030 Can keep direct course at 3,5 kn. Changed back to windvane.
2045 Night watch Thomas.
2100 Genoa and main sail 100%, ENE, flat sea and 4,5 kn, direct course to doldrums waypoint.
0045 Barracuda type fish caught, 80 cm, very slim, sail fin, blue night eyes, ev. baby marlin? Prepared and fridged for tomorrow´s lunch.
0200 Night watch Claudia, 11°41,57N 25°41,35W, 4,0 kn, course 180°, Antarctica
0900 That was a wonderful peaceful night, long sleep because of flat sea, 0.5 m swell, 10 cm wind ripple.
1100 Found an octopus on deck. Got new role as fishing bait with prominent role at hook.
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LOG DATA:
- ETA: 01. Jun. 0300 UTC (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- LAT/LON: 11°04.58 N / 25°36.70 W (position coordinates)
- SOG: 3,5 - 4,0 kn = 7,4 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 184° (bearing, bee-line course to next waypoint)
- CTS: 184°, SW (course to steer for given wind conditions)
- Total LOG: 4922 nm = 9115 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- Day LOG: 84 nm = 155 km (distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 383 nm = 710 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 1254 nm = 2322 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 11 d (time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 2 Bft NE
- WAVES: 0,5 m swell, minimum of wind ripple
- VISIBILITY: moderate
- SKY: 60 % cloud coverage, rest blue sky with very aggressive sun
- WATER TEMP: 22°C
- AIR TEMP: 27°C
- CABIN TEMP: 28°c
- MOON RISE: 0430 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 1714, decescent, almost new moon
- SUN RISE: 0718
- SUN SET: 1959
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REPORT for Th./Sa., 21./22./23. May 2009:
BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- New weather forecast: ITCZ (inner tropical convergence zone) axis along 8N13W to 3N30W then crossing the equator along 36W.
- With an assumed ITCZ width of 5° (5 latitude degrees = 300 sm) it begins on our course around 6,5°N, i. e. more northern than our plan of 5°N.
- Fish from night catch was very tasty with a soja marinade and salade but had so many long fishbones that the next one of this kind will end at the hook again.
- We are half way down to the next waypoint where we want to change course directly to Brasil.
- All hatches and windows open to catch every breeze.
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OBSERVATIONS:
- It is getting hotter now, still bearable but we are glad for so much space under deck.
- We almost hit a giant turtle at 10°45N 25°37W, 3 m away, black, bright feet, 1.5 m length, thought of a capsized dinghy first
- Attached 2nd solar panel of foredeck. Hopefully the solar panels can power the fridge as long as there is not enough wind for the wind generator.
- Anyway we will have to start the engine soon in the ITCZ and then charge the batteries.
- We are still in the Cape Verde Basin with 5000 m depth.
- First time we could test the autopilot without high waves. It is doing great! Now we do not need to touch the steering rudder anymore in winds and calms!
- Still no sign of doldrums except low wind since days
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DAY 6 LOG :
1200 11°04.58N 25°36.70W, CTS 184°, still under full sails since yesterday evening
1900 10°37,78N 25°36.68W 3,5 - 4,0 kn, no reason to change anything
0515 Motoring with low speed to refill the batteries, main sail was slamming in swell anyway.
0815 Engine off, 3,5 kn, 170°
DAY 7 LOG:
Wind changed northerly so that we can hold direct course to next waypoint
Pitch black night at new moon
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LOG DATA:
- ETA: 01. Jun. 0300 (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- LAT/LON: 08°20.38N 25°35.20W (position coordinates)
- SOG: 3,5 - 4,0 kn = 7,4 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 187° (bearing, bee-line course to next waypoint)
- CTS: 187°, SW (course to steer for given wind conditions)
- Total LOG: 5108 nm = 9460 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- 2 Days LOG: 186 nm = 345 km (distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 569 nm = 1054 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 1092 nm = 2022 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 9 d (time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 3 Bft NNE
- WAVES: 1,5 m with new swell
- VISIBILITY: moderate
- SKY: 50 % cloud coverage, rest blue sky with very aggressive sun
- WATER TEMP: 23°C
- AIR TEMP: 28°C
- CABIN TEMP: 29°c
- MOON RISE: 0610 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 1908, new moon, but anyway only during the day
- SUN RISE: 0722
- SUN SET: 1955
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REPORT for Sa./su., 23./24. May 2009:
BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- More and more we decide for Sálvator as port of entry if we can manage to pass the doldrums properly.
- But still Cabedelo is in our favour because it is just 300 sm less.
- Very peaceful sea, but we are very slow as well.
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OBSERVATIONS:
- Enough power for cool beer from solar panels and Wind generator
- Rain clouds easterly of us this morning, but did not touxch us.1st sign of the doldrums?
- All clouds gone at noon. Nothing ahead.
- Lost one fishing bait on thin line
- Caught one of the fish bone monsters which got a bigger hook as bait
- Nothing unusual except that we have a minimum distance record and heat is increasing.
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DAY 8 LOG :
1600 3 bft, NNE, can hold course on waypoint
1030 All sails 100% up and only 3,2 kn. Wow!
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LOG DATA:
- ETA: 01. Jun. 0300 (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- LAT/LON: 08°20.38N 25°35.20W (position coordinates)
- SOG: 3,5 kn = 7,4 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 187° (bearing, bee-line course to next waypoint)
- CTS: 155° (course to steer for given wind conditions)
- Total LOG: 5184 nm = 9600 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- Days LOG: 76 nm =  141 km (distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 645 nm = 1195 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 1018 nm = 1885 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 9 d (time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 2 Bft ENE
- WAVES: 20 cm wind ripple plus 1 m smooth swell
- VISIBILITY: moderate
- SKY: 100 % blue sky with very aggressive sun
- WATER TEMP: 23°C
- AIR TEMP: 28°C
- CABIN TEMP: 29°c
- MOON RISE: 0710 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 2010, new moon, but anyway only during daytime
- SUN RISE: 0724
- SUN SET: 1953
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REPORT for su./Mo., 24./25. May 2009:
BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- More and more we decide for Sálvator as port of entry if we can manage to pass the doldrums properly.
- But still Cabedelo is in our favour because it is just 300 sm less.
- Swell is ugly.
- We decided to go south as long as the wind allows or if we have to motor.
- Goal is to cross the doldrums asap.
- Heat is awful. Everything is damp. Get doldrums behind asap!
- We are not sure wether the doldrum coordinates from Meteo France indicate their border or their main line.
- If they are the border, then we are in the middle of the bullshit and still make distance. If not, we prepare for the worst!
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OBSERVATIONS:
- Rain clouds easterly of us last night, but did not touch us.
- All clouds gone at noon. Nothing ahead. Where are the doldrums?
- Lost again one fishing bait on thin line last night.
- Either we are in the horse latitudes for a while already (slow but bearable) or we will reach them soon and it will be worse!
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DAY 9 LOG :
1600 2 bft, ENE, can hold course 180°
1030 Main sail reef 2 bvecause iof slamming and only 3,2 kn.
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LOG DATA:
- ETA: 09. Jun. 0300 (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- LAT/LON: 05°55.69N 25°28.25W (position coordinates)
- SOG: 3,5 kn = 7,4 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 187° (bearing, bee-line course to next waypoint)
- CTS: 155° (course to steer for given wind conditions)
- Total LOG: 5272 nm = 9764 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- Days LOG: 88 nm =  163 km (distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 733 nm = 1358 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 9053 nm = 1765 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 14 d (time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 2 Bft ENE
- WAVES: 20 cm wind ripple plus 0,5 m swell
- VISIBILITY: moderate
- SKY: 100 % blue sky with very aggressive sun
- WATER TEMP: 23°C
- AIR TEMP: 30°C
- CABIN TEMP: 29°c
- MOON RISE: 0815 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 2112, new moon, but anyway only during daytime
- SUN RISE: 0726
- SUN SET: 1951
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REPORT for Mo./Tu., 25./26. May 2009:
BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- We both admit that we miss the rain. Have not had some since many weeks now, as it is usual on oceans anyway.
- Several hours of computer, stereo and fridge per day ask for tribute. We decide to motor as soon as we fall below 3 kn.
- We are looking forward to dawn every day as the sun is so agressive and temperature is above 30°C constantly now.
- Long talks at night and we both are very much looking forward to Brasil.
- Sorted out all brasilian destinations of Tom Morgans´s RCC Pilot, companion to the South Atlantic Circuit.
- As an average We are fast as walking speed only. But so unexpectedly peaceful.
- We benefit from our different sleeping rhythms, Claudia being an early bird and Thomas being a night owl.
- We decide to cross the equator at 26°W, allowing lster change of destination to Salvador de Bahia
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OBSERVATIONS:
- No indication of doldrums except few winds but we had that since Cabo Verde.
- Clouds still like trade wind clouds going SW.
- Every day we clean the solar panels from salt for maximum effeciency. Much brown dust from Africa on them also.
- No nother ship since days.
- Yesterday evening some flashing ahead behind horizon
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DAY 10 LOG :
1200 Main sail reefed to reef 2 to let more wind to genoa
2130 Flashing behind horizon ahead
2300 Windvane control changed to autopilot to prevent sail slamming in swell and few wind
0800 Good wind from ENE, 5 kn, that is better as the average from Cabo Verde to here. Can this be in the doldrums?
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LOG DATA:
- ETA: 09. Jun. 0300 (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- LAT/LON: 04°22.34N 25°30.61W (position coordinates)
- SOG: 4,8 kn = 7,4 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 186° (bearing, bee-line course to next waypoint)
- CTS: 180° (course to steer for given wind conditions)
- Total LOG: 5366 nm = 9937 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- Days LOG: 94 nm =  174 km (distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 827 nm = 1532 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 937 nm = 1735 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 9 d (time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 3 Bft ENE
- WAVES: 30 cm wind ripple plus 1 m swell
- VISIBILITY: moderate
- SKY: 50 % blue sky, typical trade winds sky
- WATER TEMP: 23°C
- AIR TEMP: 30°C
- CABIN TEMP: 30°c
- MOON RISE: 0924 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 2213
- SUN RISE: 0728
- SUN SET: 1949
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REPORT for Tu./We., 26./27. May 2009:
BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- We read some homepages of other sailors and discuss the best place for landfall and staying for some days
- Concerned about Claudias Tendon preventing her from sporting, needs medical treatment.
- We are not eating so much anymore, heat is a great diet
- Found a big melon rott, reminded us of eggs from the last Alien movie we saw.
- Most of the fresh stuff is gone now, only some potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, cucumbers and onions left.
- Reading a lot about food in Brasil. Can not wait to arrive and plunder the markets.
- Day and night changes, boiling sky formations, flat sea, rain and heat, unclear wind directions, underlayed current. This is nature pure in a very big picture!
- Although there is no wind it is sailing per definition, reacting on the circumstances every 15 minutes.
- There is no sense in waiting for thundery showers to hit us. So we decided to spend a certain (big) amount of fuel to push us through the horse latitudes.
- Nevertheless we are waiting until a front goes through ahead of us.
- Decided not to apply a lead angle against west current to get the most out of the fuel capacity. This leads to a CTS of 210°
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OBSERVATIONS:
- Clouds still like trade wind clouds going SW, now intensifying in the evenings.
- Within 10 hours everything changed, we passed the border to the doldrums, recognisable with every sense.
- Now we are in the middle of the playground of a global weather phenomena. Exciting experience, great cloud constellations.
- No nother ship since days.
- Even here, almost 2000 km away from the next coast, different kinds of seabirds wonderfully gliding over the waves
- After motoring half of the night we switched it off for 10 minutes. Then the alternator was not moving anymore at the next ignition.
- Checked starter cables but turning the key was not taking much current from the batteries. Starter relais problem?.
- After another 10 minutes it started as it should do, without changing anything. Thermal problem? Needs investigation in Brasil.
- Chaotic swell is underlayed by very long flat southern components. The southeasterly trade winds are sending signals.
- ITCZ´s northern border is more south than predicted. Hopefully its southern border is not so far south.
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DAY 11 LOG :
1315 Crossing the predicted ITCZ line, whichever was meant, center or border, at 49°N 25°31W
1400 1st time since depature cirrocumulus and cirrostratus
1815 Cirrus, 1900 closed dark grey cloud coverage
2000 2 bft
2038 The 1st rain since many weeks, just 5 minutes but we seem to be where we want to be!
0630 003°19N 025°41W Lightning flashes ahead, interrupting most of the electrical connections. Fishing gear pulled in. Only 200 nm until equator.
0700 Waiting for a rain front passing by ahead.
0830 Calm and few rain. Making 3.9 kn at 1350 rpm.
1130 Equal distance between Mindelo and Cabedelo (Cabo Verde and Brasil)
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LOG DATA:
- ETA: 04. Jun. 0300 (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- LAT/LON: 03°01.95N 25°43.61W (position coordinates)
- SOG: 3,5 kn = 6,5 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 185° (bearing, bee-line course to next waypoint)
- CTS: 185° (course to steer for given wind conditions)
- Total LOG: 5453 nm = 10097 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- Days LOG: 87 nm =  174 km (distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 914 nm = 1693 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 937 nm = 1735 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 14 d (time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 0 Bft
- WAVES: 10 cm ripple plus 1 m swell from north and south, northern swell still higher
- VISIBILITY: good
- SKY: 100 % cloud covergae
- WATER TEMP: 25°C
- AIR TEMP: 30°C
- CABIN TEMP: 29°c
- MOON RISE: 1032 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 2312
- SUN RISE: 0731
- SUN SET: 1948
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REPORT for Th./Fr./Sa., 28./29./30. May 2009:
BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- Equal distance between Mindelo and Cabedelo (half way) now AND more than 10.000 km since Germany early this morning. Celebrated with a rest of white wine instead of champagne.
- 10.000 km without ANY damage at boat, equipment or crew. Celebrate!
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OBSERVATIONS:
Very light rain showers every hour. Not enough to wash but enough to get wet shirts
Calculated fuel capacity based on recent throttle (slow but not slowest, 1250 rpm). Result is 2,5 L per hour. Not bad for a
4-cylinder Diesel.
Swell from SE increasing. Still flat but fast and increasing.
Missing a Bimini. Improvisdation made of bed linnen is not more than an improvisation.
Big orange buoy drifting in 5 m distance, ball shaped with mooring ring on top (02°51,55N 025°42,78W).
Looks as if it is not drifting. In 5000 m depth? Again a drifter?. Or an unintended “drifter”, which got loose somewhere and is waiting to arrive somewhere.
Or is it fixed to one of these ocean killing drifting nets with a fish factory at the other end?
If yes then it must be huge because we have very good visibility and there is no ship visible. Would be a wall of death of more than 10 nm = 20 km.
Several Airplanes between South America and Europe above us.
Sometimes misleading radar echoes from limited rain patches with sharp borders.
Typically at night there is not wind enough for the Aries.
Until now we tried to avoid rain. Now we are even changing direction to hit showers.
In light winds and depending on conditions we change between autopilot and Windvane very often.
Nice long talks in the evening and early nigth hours when it is cooler. We postpone every activity and meal until the sun has gone.
Spectacular experience to have a big whale herd passing by. Smaller groups within flock.
Heat is the dominant factor of the day. Every activity is a burden.
We decide not to touch the water tank for drinking anymore (Gomera and Mindelo water).
At night fluorescend patches without triggering. Somebody is talking to each other. Octopusses?
That could be a reason why we saw whales here.
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DAY 12 LOG :
Motoring almost all day until midnight.
Every 30 minutes radar check for rain fronts and more.
2100 Wind weak but E, sometimes even a bit ESE
0300 Wind SE 3 bft 02°16,62N 25°48,69W. Are we done yet? This are the SE trade winds! Great sailing without waves. 4,0 kn 235°
0545 Huge bigship on portside parallel to us but opposite direction, closest point of approach 8,5 nm
1200 Sailing now with 100 % sails up.
DAY 13 LOG:
2100 Sailed all day with 2-3 kn and almost no waves. Only very smooth long SE swell.
2145 Bigship ahead, crossing our course from Starboard to port in small angle same course as ship yesterday. Almost parallel to us.
CPA = 1,1 nm. Are we on a steamer track? Is this the bigship highway from Aouth America to Europe? Bright illumination on stern platform. Probably huge fisher
2230 Peter and Paul should not be a problem anymore even if we lose engine and mast, 200 nm in 260°.
2315 Lightning flash starboard ahead behind horizon. Is already westerly of us and noes not touch us as long as we are going south.
0200 Motoring with Autopilot
0500 Sailing with all sails up
DAY 14 LOG
1715 Filled up Diesel tank from 3 x 20 L canisters.
1915 More than 30 Whales slowly moving north. Passing us 50 m away, all on portside, discovered by chance while Claudia was adjusting the autopilot
8000 35 nm to the equator. We should make it today. No end of the calms indicated.
1030 Last apple eaten.
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LOG DATA 30.05., 1200:
- LAT/LON: 00°29.72N 26°23.18W (position coordinates)
- ETA: 11. Jun. 1800 (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- SOG: 1,7 kn = 3,1 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 142° (bearing, bee-line course to next waypoint)
- CTS: 220° (course to steer for given wind conditions)
- Total LOG: 5632 nm = 10430 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- Days LOG (3 days average): 60 nm =  111 km (distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 1074 nm = 1989 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 709 nm = 1313 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 14 d (time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 1 Bft
- WAVES: 10 cm ripple plus 1 m swell from north and south, northern swell still higher
- VISIBILITY: Very good
- SKY: 10 % cloud coverage
- WATER TEMP: 25°C
- AIR TEMP: 33°C
- CABIN TEMP: 31°c
- MOON RISE: 1324 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 0100
- SUN RISE: 0730
- SUN SET: 1947
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REPORT for Su., 31. May 2009:
BOARD LIVE AND NAVIGATION:
- Decision to motor at night and to use the wind at day.
- 1 day until equator (hopefully).
- Sitting on doghouse in the main sail shadow in the afternoons.
- Starting to eat can fruits.
- Celebrated equtor crossing at midnight Cabo Verde time. 0106 UTC
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OBSERVATIONS:
- Mini swell overlaying the big one. We hope that there is wind more south.
- 8 degree minutes north of equator the doldrums seem to have ended. Stronger regular winds.
- Interuptions more rare, just 2 times for half an hour. Sailing since.
- Many small fishes all around lorbas JUMPING FOR A SECOND 8NO FLYINGS FISH
- Soup is bad after 1 day
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DAY 15 LOG :
1230 0°29,27N 26°23,510
0106 Crossing equator with 2,9 kn at 196°
0920 All sails up 100%, 4,3 kn 225° (SW)
Day 16 LOG
1500 2 Whales 5m away from LORBAS
DAY 17 LOG
1100 Small fishes all around LORBAS jumping
Pulled in fishing bait, has bites from shark in lead
1200 Claudia calls MV SATIGNY for weather forecast
0300 Not much wind but still sailing, Brazil current helps a bit
Day 18 LOG
1700 3 birds using LORBAS as night taxi, having trouble with each other
1800 Time signal caught on 15.000 kHz
0645 1st Astro! Only 15 sm error. Wow!
1100 Bigship crossing our wake
1730 Squall with heavy rain. Shower taken.
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LOG DATA 31.05., 1200:
- LAT/LON: 00°29.72N 26°23.18W (position coordinates)
- ETA: 11. Jun. 1800 (estimated time of arrival under current conditions)
- SOG: 1,7 kn = 3,1 km/h (speed over ground)
- BRG: 142° (bearing, bee-line course to next waypoint)
- CTS: 220° (course to steer for given wind conditions)
- Total LOG: 5632 nm = 10430 km (distance sailed since leaving Germany)
- Days LOG (3 days average): 60 nm =  111 km (distance sailed)
- Trip LOG: 1074 nm = 1989 km (distance sailed since last departure)
- DTG: 709 nm = 1313 km (distance to go to destination)
- TTG: 14 d (time to go to destination for current SOG)
- WIND: 1 Bft
- WAVES: 10 cm ripple plus 1 m swell from north and south, northern swell still higher
- VISIBILITY: Very good
- SKY: 10 % cloud coverage
- WATER TEMP: 25°C
- AIR TEMP: 33°C
- CABIN TEMP: 31°c
- MOON RISE: 1324 (rise and set times at current position)
- Moon SET: 0100
- SUN RISE: 0730
- SUN SET: 1947
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