The mariner’s mariner dreams about faraway horizons. (Centkieviez)

 

 

My Yacht Log 12-04 to 12-27-2006

 

"In the beginning they could not understand my insistence on getting away from the compass, that god of the West. But in exchange, they began to hear the why and sea talking with the boat. And when blue-tinted land appeared on the horizon, looking as it did to the mariners of old, all nimbed with mystery, a few of them felt that our rigorous techniques should leave a door open to those gods which the modern world tries so hard to exclude." -Bernard Moitessier, 'The Long Way' CLOSE WINDOW

--------------------------------------------------------------

12-04-2006 (day 72)

This morning I was on the radio again and that means the propagation is good. This fact, after sailing, is the 2nd most important thing. I talked with Gyuri, Tibi and Karesz. They heard me well and the same goes for me. There was an other sailing boat in Italian waters, and I heard some interesting transmissions from that boat. It is too bad, but I could not copy Zoli (HA7WFC/MM), however talked to a few other amateurs:

HA6VB, Jenő, 5-6,
HA1DFN, Atilla, 4-6,
HA6QE, 5-7,
HA6ZJ, János, 5-6,
HA6EV, 5-7,
HA6EV, Jenő, Egerszalok,
Today I did a lot of things around the boat: 

Sail mending, (the normal jib has weakened a little at certain spots.

Checked out the engine

Checked out the different compartments.

The good news is that the very first compartment up ahead is totally dry.

Took on water. (I have running water for 4 weeks and after that I’ll use bottled water).

Mast adjustment.

Took care of some caulking problems. (The cable insulation, next to the front light, needed attention).

Cockpit cleaning.

Dishwashing.

Tidying up

Two support posts of my railing got loose so I strengthened their holding screws using some fiberglass compound.

    Unfortunately they could not find my box.  The police today gave me a piece of paper, which contained the official facts. (They gathered the data in the evening and by the morning had the report ready). 

I reported it to the harbor police and also to the office in the Marina.

Tomorrow through the Western Union I’ll get some money from home.

Unfortunately, because of this my departure will be postponed to tomorrow evening, and  because of this I will bypass Tenerife and will go straight to Cape Verde. In the afternoon it’s Internet time in the harbor pub. The coffee there costs 1.2 euro and the Internet connection (wireless) is free. In the city the same connection costs 1 euro per hour.

   Balázs sent me an interesting link: www.sailmike.com. This site describes a 14-year-old kid who starts out alone to cross the Atlantic.  His Name is Michael Perham and it pays to look at his boat: www.tide28.com

    There is a weather forecasting method, which I might use. The name is Saildocs and I like it a lot. The problem is that one has to send an 8 KB file over HF radio (with GRB spread ??) it is a little too much in PSK mode.

 

12-05-2006 (day 73)

 In the morning at 8 UTC I turned on the radio and talked Karesz, Gyuri and Tibi, HA6QI. Unfortunately I did not hear the other Hungarian sailor from Italy.
 Today I pick up my money.

VIAJES NOCHE Y DIA,                                                                                                C. General Mas de Garminde 47 Bajo

 (Luckily it is not far from the harbour, but opens at 9 o’clock).

At around 10 UTC I switched on the radio again (talked to Karesz), but the propagation was not good,

  In the morning I am doing navigation problems.

The target: Cape Verde, Ilha De Sao Vicente, Mindelo, Porto Grande (016-54N; 025-01W). Distance: 860 nautical miles.

   The problem is that between Santo Antao and Ilha De Sao Vicente the wind usually gets stronger and sometimes ads 15 to 20 knots to the already present ocean wind.  (The planned anchoring spot, the harbour is situated in the middle of the channel.)

  I’m buying things again.

9 litres of water and added to this I have 100 litres of bottled water.

2 kg. Breakfast cereal

10 chocolate tablets

3 kg. Bread, which can be stored.

2 sticks of sausage  (Pista makes better ones!)

Dehydrated stock (soup)

Different types of noodles.

Lunch: Fruits! (papaya, mango, chirimoya)

In the afternoon I am packing. Out on the Ocean everything is tied down, otherwise things get mixed up. A big mix-up just would not do.

I finished charging the batteries and I hope when I get to Cape Verde Island I will be able to do it again. I checked the weather; north-easterly wind is expected for the whole week. (Bf 4-7).

Towards the evening I checked out. Four nights cost me 15 euros. I left a few forwarding addresses at the marina-office for the off chance that they find my box, then till 8 pm I surfed the Internet.

Departure time 9 pm.

The skipper of Fantasy I – a retired physicist, who in a few days will sail to the Caribbean with his wife - helped me to start. His sailboat anchored next to me. The ship traffic is moderate, but you have to be on your toes when navigating among the islands. The traffic is a little denser there.

   All evening the wind is bf4. I sail near the shore but I struggle with the                                                                                                                                                                       waves quite a bit. Further out the waves are not so short any more and the sailing becomes much more pleasant.

    Heading: 221, but can’t hold to it because if I try the jib flaps. (This is what happens when the wind blows from astern.)  My compass heading is changed to 200 or 240. But because of the great wave action steering a heading is not too accurate. 

I am planning to supplement my daily log with nautical information. That would include: visibility, temperature, barometric pressure, wind direction and strength, current, speed, direction, log standing, position. These kind of informations will be included daily, this way maybe I will be in a better position to judge what is it I’m doing.   

     My telephone does not work again. This time it’s the charger.

12-06-2006    (Day 74)

   Today is St Nicholas day.

    There was only a chocolate Nick in my rubber boots. I could not find any birch-rod, which means that this year I was good!!!

 Today for some reason I could not turn on the radio. . I measured 12 volts at the connector so that is OK.

Breakfast is Spanish salami, bread and onion from Morocco. 3 big ship lanes assure ship traffic around here. I can always see 1 or 2 ships and some of them come close, like a couple hundred meters.

Lunch and dinner: scrambled eggs with sautéed onion and tomato. The banana ration is one or two pieces a day this way they may last for ten days. The night was quiet. Sometimes a ship or two came close but did not pose any danger.

12-07-2006 (day 75)

Early this morning I had to sew the sail. The jib got torn in 3 places. While I sewed I raised the storm jib and with that raised, the speed dropped 2.5 knots. (The normal jib is the ideal sail when the bf is 4 or 5.)

   I successfully turned on the radio this morning. (Time was: 9:10UTC). I could talk with Gyuri and Tibi gave me the probable weather for the next 9 days. He said that by Sunday the wind would be a bf7 and the rest of the days the wind will be bf. 3-6 and north easterly.

HA7JZ, Jásztelek, Zoltán, 5-8

HA6QI, 5-8

HA3UX, Tamás, Pista, 5-8

And of course our whistling friend was heard also.

Breakfast is the usual bread with salami and onion.

Lunch: scrambled egg with onion and tomato on the side.

In the Afternoon I raised the normal jib and my average speed increased to 3.5 knots.

The night was quiet, although the ship traffic was still there; therefore I steer a little towards the west to avoid the 3 important ship-routes.
 
12-08-2006 (day 76)

The sky is overcast for days now. Waves occasionally splash into the cabin, and much more to the cockpit.

Today I turned on the radio. Talked to Tibi, Karesz, Gyuri and Alex .

Furthermore:

HA7WFC/MM Zoli (sailboat in Italy), 5-5 
HA6QI, Bandi, 5-6

HA0LG, 5-7

HA8JA, Imre, Csepel, 5-7

HA6JZ, 5-7

HA5MG, Gyuri, Bp.

YO6FCW, Vili, Csikszereda, 5-5

The wind is getting stronger and today: Bf. 5-6, direction: NE.

Visibility: 6 (good)

Barometric pressure: 1032

Temperature: between 22-25 deg C

Sea-state: 5

In the afternoon I raised the storm-jib.

The evening was calm.

12-09-2006 (day 77) 

While I was in Las Palmas I read on the sailing.hu web page about Méder Áron. Thanks to everybody for the kind words and encouragements!

My logbook is full and from now on I will use my own invention as a logbook.

Today I did not use the radio. The whole day the storm-jib was up in NE wind. Bf 6-7.

Sea-state: 7

Sail: storm jib

The 8-meter high waves are common.

The sailboat is stable at this time.

Meal: Bread and salami with cheese and onion.

The mountainous waves come from behind and I keep surfing from the top of these waves.  We spend a very short time up top, and after that short time we are galloping down or it could be described as plunging down!

Again the night was calm.

12-10-2007 (day 78)

Finally some hot food: scrambled egg and roasted hotdog.

Today I had contacts on the radio.

I talked with Gyuri, Karess and Tibi and with a few others. But I had only short QSOs because I have to save battery power. There is a long way to go yet.

HA8RD, 5-7

HA1DEU, Tamás, Mosonmagyarovár, 5-6

HA5TV, Pista,  5-6

YO6BGT, 5-5

HA6QI, 5-5

YU7FF, 5-6

9:00 (25-00N, 019-17.6W)

I completed 48 nm, and in the right direction.

This is a great accomplishment with 1 storm-jib and secured rudder.

The autopilot is intermittent again. This is the reason that from now on I will sail with secured rudder. When the waves are as big as they are now it is not a good idea to use the autopilot. It is raining some so the visibility is deteriorating. Now it’s only 5.

Wind: Bf. 5-6 NE

Sea state: 7

I’m already in the Passat zone and this can be seen from the cloud cover.

The night was calm, although the wind got a little stronger. I hoisted the storm jib during the night. When I started out there was a big full moon, and this makes the night passage easier.

12-11-2006 (day 79)

Today I did not switch on the radio.

9:00 (24-20N, 019-49W)

Barometric pressure: 1034. It did not change for two days. (Does not drop).

Temperature: 24 C (around noon it rises to 26-27 deg. C and in the evening drops down to 21-22 deg. C. I travelled 50 Nm and this again is a nice accomplishment. During the night, when I was sleeping the sailboat slowly drifted west, and that is not a good direction for me.
 Wind: Bf 5-6 NE

Sea state: 7 (6 to 9 meter high waves).

Sail: Storm jib, but by the afternoon just the jib.

Breakfast: 1 kg. Banana (it started to rot), and bread with salami.

During the morning hours it seemed as if a shark swam by me. (I have seen its fin twice.)

Lunch: Lecso with salami. (Three tomatoes started to rot!) While I was preparing my lunch started to sew the sail.
 Behind me mountainous waves started to build and those constantly push me in a southwesterly direction. When they reach me they slam into the rear cockpit, but it’s not too bad yet. It is raining in the afternoon, but this is warm rain! In the evening I disassemble the autopilot. It is shorting out. There is water inside. I guess it is not waterproof. The motor is shorted so tomorrow I will try to repair it.

12-12-2006    (Day 80)

 I have not got any letters from the Samsung users and the exSamsung users! At least the not so busy managers could write about what is happening over there.
In the morning there was propagation. At 8:30 the propagation was not perfect, but by 9:00 I could practically hear everybody well. I talked to Gyuri and Karesz as well as: HA3UX

HA3RG

OE4BAB, Alex, 5-6

According to the weather report: Thursday the wind weakens, but stays NE.

(In this area the N and the NE wind with strength of 4-5 is the most prevailing in December)

9:00 (23-59N; 020-45W)

In the past days I travelled 44 nm, in the right direction.

Barometric pressure: 1030

Temperature: 24-26 deg.C.

Wind: Bf. 4-5 easterly.

Sail: Jib

Average speed: 3 knots.

In the morning the sun was shining, the afternoon became cloudy and started to rain.  Up till now I have always seen a rainbow, but now the clouds are really thick and I could not see any. Near the shore of Morocco I have even seen a rainbow at night!

I started fishing again in the afternoon, but before I got there I tried to untangle the monofilament string and the rope. This time I did not use a so-called spoon lure, but I tried some fly lure. During the weekend, because of the big waves, the tackle and the bucket dropped into the water.

 I took them out the next day, but by then the whole thing became an unrecognisable mess. I successfully tuned up Carina so she can sail by herself. This gives me time to cook something. I am on sea for 8 days but so far could not eat a normal warm meal. Finally a good warm supper. Chilli with rice and onion and carrot and hotdog and salami… I better stop.  I put in what I could find and so far this was the most successful supper. Unfortunately I ran out of the gulyas paste. In a small sailboat like this, one cannot carry everything.

 Night.

It rains off and on. The strength of the wind constantly changes. Bf: 1-5!

The rain is warm. (This is already the trade winds region).

Sleeping.

On the Ocean where the ship-traffic is not so dense I go to sleep in the cabin. If the waves are large then I put in the Plexiglas door. This way the cabin remains dry and I can see out. During these times I get up in 1 or 2 hour intervals to check the ship traffic and Carina. (Rudder tied down and the sail set). The waves make sleeping difficult. The up and down movement is +/-3 meter and of course there is some lateral movement also and that is about +/-2 meters. Inside the cabin everything rattles and moves, follows the ship’s movement. If one’s tired then sleep comes quickly!

12-13-2006 (day 81).

The book, Around the World with Susie written by József Varsányi and sent to me by József Poór, is a very useful reading for me. At first because it gave useful tips on choosing routes, but now I like the way József looks at things and that is valuable example.

This morning talked to Gyuri and Karesz on the radio.

The other QSOs:

HA1TO, Ernõ, Gyõr, 5-8

HA6QI, Bandi, Gyõngyõspatak, 5-6

HA2RI, 5-6

HA8KW, Feco, Szeged, 5-7

DH7KU (HA7XQ) Csaba, Köln, 5-9

HA4ZD, 5-8

HA3UX, Pista, Tamási, 5-7

HA8AR, Pali, Békéscsaba, 5-7

Several Spanish radio amateurs also tried to get in touch, but I did not hear them.   

Position at 9:00 UTC (23-02N; 020-55W)

Distance travelled in the last 24 hours: 54nm.

Average speed: 2-3 knots

Temperature: 24-26 deg.C

Barometric pressure: 1030

Wind: Bf. 4-5

Sail complement: Normal jib. In the afternoon I hoisted the main sail too.

Sea state: 4-5 (max. 4 meter high waves).

I have a protecting net but I did not put it up since the railing is enough for the time being.

 For breakfast I ate some leftovers (yesterday’s supper). I hope I have enough to last until the evening. This is very good and quickly disappears!

 St Christopher’s emblem is around my neck. The EPIRB takes a moment to activate. The lifeboat is tied out with a separate rope. This way I hope I will not loose it. (A few days ago I lost a 15-litre bottle, yet it was tied down pretty good).

At noon I caught a fish weighing 1 Kg. It became a roasted fish for lunch!

As the evening neared I caught an other fish, this time it weight 2 Kg. It became a roasted fish for supper.

(The left over was good for breakfast.)

I am trying to sail south. According to the weather reports I should reach 19N pretty soon. But it is not so fast with us!

The waves constantly slam into the cockpit, yet the wind quieted down and so did the waves.

At 23:10 I crossed the Tropic of Cancer (22-30N). I slept through it. That is how I celebrated the big event.

12-14-2006 (day 82).

 When I put in Las Palmas, in the harbour pub many people asked me if that little boat is mine. Not my name or my sailboat’s name stuck in their mind but my nationality, that I am a Hungarian. That little “Hungarian boat”. Some thought that I am Italian, so I had to tell them that the colours are different and so is the coat of arms. They said they understand it. Sometimes I had to tell them the geographical position of Hungary.

I am about 100 -200-300 miles from the shores of Africa. West Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, but I can’t just put into port anywhere, I do not have the time and it is not advisable.

  This morning I was on the radio. Gyuri gave me the possible weather forcast for the next week.

Max. Bf. 4. (Easterly)

I talked with Karesz who passed me the massages from home.

Further QSOs:

OE4BAB. Alex, 5-7

HA8RD, Laci, 5-9

HA2RI, Laci, 5-7

HA3RC, Zoli, Zuglo, 5-7

Unfortunately I could not hear: HA5PTN and HA7JZ.

The propagation was quite good from 8:40 UTC on.
 Info:  14.303 MHz an amateur station watches German shipping.

9:00 UTC

Position: (22-16N; 21-01W)
In the last 24 hours the distance travelled was 40 NM. In the good direction.

While I was sleeping the boat turned.
Barometric pressure: 1025

Temperature: 26 deg. C

Sea state: 4 (waves: 1.25 to 2.5 meters high)

Wind: Easterly, Bf. 3-4

Sail used: Genoa

Current: southerly, 0.5 knot.

I am under way for 10 days and during that time I used 20 litres of water and 3 litres of fuel.

Fuel remaining: 57 litres
Water remaining: 280 litres
 During the morning hours I turned on the radio and listened to a few Italian and Spanish stations, mostly music. Radio Kossuth came in very weak.
Last night a fish took my flasher. Unfortunately I don’t have many of those. This morning I put up a new flasher. I spent about one and a half hour sewing the jib. Unfortunately it was torn in two places along the seam. Sooner or later I have to make a new jib. Then it was dishwashing time. Every pot (2 pcs.) was dirty and after dish washing I tidied up a bit.
 At
noon I took a shower in the bow. The sun is quite strong so a shower felt good.
 Lunch: a light lunch, salami, bread, paprika and a few drops of ketch-up.

In the afternoon I charged the GPS battery from the primary battery.  For quite a few days I noticed that the sailboat goes by itself, which is good news. Unfortunately this travel is slow and there is a +/- 1.5-degree wobbling.

   In the afternoon if there is time I take a nap. That is the time to do it. Who knows when I can have a good sleep again?

  Late afternoon (the sun still strong) and in the evening (the sky full of stars) I am at the rudder. Of course the sailboat wants to go by herself. The weather is pleasant and I’m feeling fine.

 

The day before I started out from Koper, Rob commented that the stars viewed from the ocean could be a wonderful sight. He was right! (Every night I look up a star on the sky.) 10 o’clock at night I start cooking soup. The foundation is carrot and onion and the rest is what I could find. At the end I put in some strong stuff too, like “Erõs Pista”. Since the boat is reeling back and forth making soup is not easy.

12-15-2006 (day 83)

This morning I was on the air. Gyuri reported the weather, and so in the next few days the wind will blow from S, SE. Strength: 1-2

QSOs with:OE4BAB, Alex, 5-7.

HA3RC, 5-7

Position: 9:00UTC (21-31N; 021-12W)

Barometric Pressure: 1024

Temperature: 27-28 deg. C.

Wind: E, Bf: 1-2

Sea-state:  2 (0.5 to 1 metre waves)

Sail: Genoa and later: Mainsail.

Average speed: 1-2 knots.

Heading: 220

In the past 24 hour I travelled 42 nm.

Around noon I take a swim in the Ocean. The water is very pleasant. A smaller fish follows the boat. Unfortunately the boat already has a “beard”. I do not even try to clean the bottom; the speed of the boat is too great.  After the bath I sun myself. It feels like summer, which is weird in December.

  The ropes got hard from the salty water.

The fish that follows me slowly becomes my pet as if it was my domesticated animal.  But maybe I should call it a sailboat animal. When I pull my artificial fish a little closer to the boat, this one too comes closer. Thinks it belongs and comes up close. They are swimming together. My lonesome little fish, alone for 11 days.

Supper is meatloaf. (I could not catch a fish, but the flasher was lost again, maybe a big fish took it). Towards the evening the wind stopped altogether

12-16-2007 (day 84)
 This morning radio time again.
I talked to Gyuri (G0IJG), Karesz (HA5CAR), Alex (OE4BAB), and Laci (HA8RD)

From 8:40 on the propagation was good.

Position: 9UTC (21-21N; 21-17W)

Barometric pressure: 1023

Temperature: 26-27 deg. C

Wind: easterly, Bf. 0-1 (sometimes total calm, at other times very slight.

Sea state: 1

Sail: Genoa+ Mainsail

Average speed: 0-1 knot

Direction: 200
 In the last 24 hours I travelled 11 NM in good direction. (At the shores of
Algiers was a similar situation.)

From tomorrow on the wind might increase to a Bf 3. The situation might improve.

In this area and in December the possibility of no wind is 1%, and 47% NE, and 40% E. The rest is 12%.

Here, at the moment it is 1%, (calm).

The fish kept jumping around me since dawn but they do not like my lures. I unpacked my Harpoon gun in case any big fish comes around

This morning I downloaded my pictures to the computer. Unfortunately because a faulty connection I lost about 80 pictures. These were taken in the first week and a few of them were quite interesting.

My lure was bit into two by a big fish. Again! I keep loosing my flashers and lures. I thrown in the last flasher, maybe it will work this time. In the next harbour I have to buy quite a few flashers and lures since these things can be put in the ‘disappearing items’ category. I found that the flasher is better then the lure. (I put more effort into fishing than sailing :)

Right now it’s total calm. I will use this time to repair a few things. Mostly I insulate a few places where the water seeped in.
Since I left
Algiers I did not have to use sunscreen, but now I have to again. The sunrays are quite strong! I keep bathing and sunbathing. Today is a rest-day. When I see one or two big fish, I jump in the water and try to harpoon them, but at that moment they always disappear. But my fish keeps coming. Wants to get acquainted, which is a little unnerving. It wants to ‘smell’ me. It comes so close.
     On the Ocean the visibility is 20 to 25 metres. I thought it is going to be better. There are MEDUZAS around so one has to watch not to jump on one of those.

This afternoon I made myself an apple cocktail. Now I feel even better. The water is smooth, there is no wind. I’m slowly drifting this way and that way. The speed is 0.3 knot.
UTC 19:00

Position: (21-21N, 21-21W) An interesting position!

I have a late supper, which is pastrami carbonara. To tell you the truth I ate 2 portions and I am still hungry.

At dawn I could see lightning from south of me. It started raining a little too.

12-17-2006(Day 85) 

This morning I did not use the radio. I overslept.

12:00 UTC

Position: (21-24N;021-25W)

Distance travelled: 10 nm. in the right direction.  Minus 4 nm. from yesterday. (This of course does not put me in a good mood. This is my negative record).

Barometric Pressure: 1026

Temperature: 27 deg.C

Wind: Bf. About 0.11 to 1 ., NE, E

Cloudy and sometimes it is raining. Next to me there is a bigger downpour passes me by.

See state: 1

Sail: Genoa+ mainsail

Direction: 200

Average speed: 1-2 knots.

I am trying to fish, because the fish keep jumping in front of me, behind me – everywhere. A few of the big ones keep following the boat. (They are too deep to harpoon them.)

Fishing was no go today so I ended it. 

At 15:00 the easterly wind got stronger, then in about a half an hour later it weakened. Exactly when I am cooking.

Supper:  Hot wheatmeal (tönkölybúza in Hungarian) with onion, carrot and tuna, and lots of garlic. (The garlic starts to rot.)

Today was a rainy day. It starts to rain then stops. Then starts again and stops. I counted about 15 separate short rains. As the evening nears the wind weakens, but the waves stay. That sailboat’s rocking motion will pleasantly rock me to sleep this evening.

Sleep: It is hard to visualize my bed. Next to my feet are the map-table and the toolbox. The harpoon gun is next to my head. My nightstand is one of the food drums and the spare battery. (I can stretch out but only 90%.)

12-18-2006 (day 86)

This morning I could talk to Karesz who informed me of the coming possible weather. (Bf. 4-5 and from the East). Then I also talked to Gyuri and Tibi.

Further contacts:

HA5BIK, 5-8

HA5RW, Laci, Budakalász, 5-8

HA6QI, 5-8

HA2RI, Laci, 4-6

Position: 9:00 UTC (21-00N, 21-35W)

In the last 24 hours I sailed 38 nm.
 Barometric Pressure: 1028

Temperature: 25-26 deg.C

Wind: Bf. 3-4, easterly
Sea state: 2

Sail: Genoa + Main sail

Average speed: 3 knots

Direction:210

Weather: cloudy and intermittent rain.

I put the empty containers and the trash in the rear cabin because I could hardly move. After that I took out the weekly bio food portion. These are packed in weekly packages, and are well waterproofed. At noon I look over the maps. I packed the European and Canary Island maps away and I brought out the Cape Verde maps (366, 367BA) Most of the time I use the laptop and the MaxSea, but you never know when you need it.
In the afternoon I made a list of my food items. Paprika and tomato is enough for a few days, but I have only 1 banana and just a few apples. The bread also slowly disappears. Hurrah for the biscuit!! A dozen eggs, and 3 whole salamis and cheese - all gone. (But I have canned foods and bio food.)

Today Carina was going in the right direction. In the evening I read the Bible.

12-19-2007 (day 87)

This morning I was on the radio where Tibi gave a report of the coming weather: Bf. 3-4-5 N, NE.)

Further contacts: Gyuri

HA7JUD, Dénes, 5-7

HA1DEU, Tomi, Mosónmagyaróvár, 5-7

Position: 12:00UTC (19-59N, 21-44W)

In the last 24 hours I travelled 68 nm.

Barometric pressure: 1026

Temperature:26-27 deg. C

Wind: Easterly, Bf. 3-4

Sea state: 2

Sail: Genoa+Main

Average speed: 2.7 knots

Direction: 180-210

Weather: Sunny, no clouds on the sky.

This morning my coffee tasted really salty. A big wave splashed into it. What a wakeup call! I was at the rudder the whole morning and the whole afternoon. This is the only way to keep the boat in the right direction. In the late afternoon, after 10 days, I have seen a container ship.

   In the evening I ate my last banana.  Supper: Rice and salami with onion, carrot, and, must not forget, garlic. The chilli is gone.

When I am cooking I steer the boat to a position that she gets only half the wind. The result is a10 to 15 degree list, then I wedge the stove to compensate for the listt. It works. Many such solutions exist on this boat and most of it comes from my father. 

12-20-2006 (Day 88)
This morning I radioed.  Karesz and Gyuri reported on the possible weather. (E, NE, Bf. 3-4-5). I talked to Tibi, but unfortunately the propagation was very bad. I heard Gyuri the best.

Position: 12:00UTC (19-09N; 22-02W)

In the past 24 hours I travelled 72 nm.

Barometric Pressure: 1026

Temperature: 27-28 deg. C

Wind: NE. Bf. 3-4

Sea state: 2

Sail: Genoa + Main

Average speed: 3 knots

Direction: 210-230

Weather: Sunny and no clouds.
The whole morning I was steering to go in the right direction. If I let Carina to go without intervention then the direction is not perfect: about 170-180.

In the afternoon came the dolphins. Only 3 came. They are much faster than I, however they did play for a short time around the boat. This is the first time that I see dolphins around me. (So far I did not see turtles and flying fish and I hope people did not hunted them to extinction.)

This evening a large ship came pretty close so I stayed at the wheel till midnight. During the night I woke up a number of times and looked out to check on the night traffic and the boat. Sal Island (centre of Cape Verde) is at 120 nm. From here one can count on ship traffic. I am not sure if I should put into port here…

12-21-2006 (Day 89)

This morning I was on the air, and Karesz gave me the probable weather report. (E, NE Bf. 4-5). I talked also to Gyuri, Tibi, Alex and Laic (HA8RD), and then I talked it over with my father that I should go to San Vincent after all. People already waiting for me there and will help me to repair the autopilot.

Position at 12:00 UTC (18-24N; 22-09W)

In the last 24 hours I travelled 62 nm.

Barometric Pressure: 1025

Temperature: 28 deg. C

Wind: NE, Bf.3

Sea state: 2

Sail: Genos + Main

Average speed: 2.5-3 knots

Direction: 240

Weather: Sunny and no clouds.

I steer the boat the whole morning to go in the right direction. If I let the boat to steer by herself than the direction is not perfect and the speed is slow. Around noon I see another big ship. She steams towards Sal Island.

Lunch: scrambled eggs with salami and onion.

If the wind is good the genoa is enough, but if the wind is weak then I add the main sail too.

If the wind gets to be a Bf. 5 then the waves slowly get bigger consequently to hold the right course is difficult.

When I swoop off or gallop off a wave the boat speeds up and even a small wave can turn me. Constant concentration is necessary!

Supper: Spanish instant asparagus soup and bread with salami.

12-22-2006 (Day 90)

I talked to Karesz, Gyuri and Tibi on the radio. And: HA8JA, 5-8

Weather: NE 4-5

Breakfast: scrambled eggs as usual. Unfortunately I ran out of the “hot golden” (csípős arany)!!

Position: 12:00 UTC (18-11N; 22-57W)

I the last 24 hours I travelled 64nm.

Barometric pressure: 1025

Temperature: 26-28 deg. C

Wind: NE, bf. 4-5

Sea state: 4

Sail: Genoa (since yesterday evening)

Average speed: 3 knots

Direction: 240

Weather: Sunshine, no cloud.

Good news that the wind generator and the sun panel work very well and by noon everything is charged up, yet in the evening the boat is lit up.

I think a lot about how to adjust the sails for best night sailing. If I just let the boat drift without sails the speed is very slow (0.5 knot is the average speed). If I set it to ¾ size, it is still not enough. Yesterday at night I was making 1-2 knots per hour, which is considered very good. The method: I use only the genoa and constantly catch the wind. This way the wind keeps pushing.

   I have seen a bunch of flying fish. Sometimes they glide around me in groups.

The night was calm and slowly I see the moon again. It’s not too big yet.

12-23-2006 (Day 91)

I turned on the radio this morning and talked to Gyuri, Tibi and Laci.

More QSOs with:

HA0KA, István, Debrecen, 5-7

HA2RI

For breakfast: scrambled eggs and bread with salami.

The flying fish are jumping all around me all day long.

Position: 12:00 UTC (17-39N; 24-00W)

In the last 24 hours I travelled 76 nm.

Barometric pressure: 1024

Temperature: 26 deg. C

Wind: NE, Bf.5

Sea state: 4

Sail: Genoa

Average speed: 3 knots

Direction: 240

Weather: Sunny and the sky is overcast.

I am constantly at the helm. I would like to put into port at Christmas Eve.

At 19:00 UTC: special, festive radio time. Maybe I can talk to Bogi and my family. And the other reason is that I would like to eat my Holyday supper on land.

Lunch: chocolate, apple and coffee. 
The sailing becomes a little monotone in such occasions: Sailing, eating, sailing, eating, sailing, sleeping, sailing.

Supper: Tuna soup.

12-24-2006 (Day 92)
 this morning at
8:30 UTC I did not switch on the radio, because I have more that 30 nm until I reach the harbour. I have to use every minute to get there by 6 in the evening. At 9:00 I even start the engine, which is not much help.

Position: 12 UTC (17-11N; 24-51W)

In the last 24 hours I travelled 60 nm.

Barometric pressure: 1024
 Temperature: 26 deg. C

Wind: NE, Bf. 4-5

Sea state: 3-4

Sail: Main, Genoa

Average speed: 3.5-4 knots

Direction: 240

Weather: Sunny and cloudy sky

I leave Santo Antao at 14:00. There is still 13 nm left to go.

I am in luck because the wind gets stronger between Santo Antao and Sao Vincente and my speed becomes a galloping 5-6 knots. And then after Passaros at a small island I get an extra 2.5 knots out of the local current. I am flying. Before I get to the harbour (2.5 nm) I reef in the main sail and at 1 nm. the genoa comes off too.
The engine plays with me, but finally it starts up. In the bay I have to go around a shoal, then I turn into the harbour. (Of course the wind starts to buffet here). There is no marina here so I go where the big ships are. The rest of the sailboats are anchored out on the sea. There is only one Portuguese sailboat in the harbour. Unfortunately I do not have a dinghy; this is the reason I did not want to use the anchor.

One more thing about my adventurous landing; right before the landing spot the engine stopped. Luckily from an oil tanker they threw a rope and this way the   current did not take me out. First I stopped next to the tanker then stopped in front of her.
After landing (
18:20 UTC) I right away tuned up the radio and listened. I heard HA8RD very well. I answered his call a number of times, but he did not hear me. There were others on the frequency and maybe there was some interference coming from the harbour. I was a little sad but I prepared the festive supper and went to bed.
The festive super on the Carina:

  1. Brandy
  2. First course: salami, cooked egg, bread
  3. Broth
  4. Cuscus with makré filet with salad (paprika, tomato, onion).
  5. Chocolate covered apple, regular apple and of course Spanish wine.

(20 days spent on water and travelled 1072nm.)

 

 

12-25-2006 (Day 93)

Cape Verde:

For small boats the travel books recommend 3 islands as harbours or anchorage places.

  1. Sao Vicente (Porto Granda, harbour offices: 15 ch
  2. Ilha do Sal (Baia Palmeira, harbour offices:    13 ch, 16 ch)
  3. Santiago

In this area the weather information can be had:

Radio BBC 4. (198Khz): 00:48, 05:35, 12:01, 17:54 UTC

Radio France International (153 Khz) 11:40 UTC.

Weather Fax: Offenbach: 3.855 Mhz, 7.880 Mhz, 13.8825 Mhz

(04:30, 05:25, 07:48, 10:50, 16:00, 18:10, 22:00 UTC)

And sends forecasts too for 24, 48, 72, 96 hours.

I woke up at 4:00 UTC in the morning. I do not know why but I could not sleep well. In the last few days I was not very diligent writing my log and now I try to catch up.

I took a look at the autopilot, but unfortunately I am not prepared to do serious repairs here. I tidied up the place. As usual this lasts the longest time. (In small boats this is a serious problem!)

This is not a Marina but a Porto. There is no lavatory and no shower, not even a regular trashcan.

I turned on the radio at 8:30 UTC and talked to Karesz (HA5CAR) and Laci (HA8RD). Told them about my adventurous landing.

I got friendly with ITCH LOPEZ since here every boat should have a watchman. There are many pirates in San Vincent; every book and sailor make mention of it:) Itch is the watchman for the Portuguese sailboat so while I’ll be in town he will watch my boat too.

In the harbour I quickly take care of my entry requirements; a quick passport and boat registration inspection and I’m done, but since it is Christmas, and nobody is working it is very difficult to take care of business. In town I exchange money in a hotel, then I call GILSON and ILDO. They might repair my autopilot. The town is very quiet and everything is closed. So I go back to the harbour and do a few things around Carina.

Carina:

Sewing the mainsail and the genoa. (Smaller tears and the sails need strengthening).

The anchor holder’s screw bent, (It happened in Tarifa and Salfi where I hit the shore and a ship that is the result.)

Checking the holds – no water!!

More caulking needed on the front windows – never enough.
 Securing the wind generator.

Securing one of the railings,  (Right side, second from the rear.)

Some caulking here and there.

Securing the life-belt ring. During heavy seas it makes a racket.

Checking the engine propeller. (The engine is not the cause.)
ILDO was here by
10:00 in the morning. I showed him the autopilot.

He took the user manual and will do the service tomorrow. (Today is holyday!)
These are the problems:

The auto pilot is OK. The motor inside is shorted

It takes a few days to repair.

The motor is not the cause. I checked everything. Something wrong with the “stif”.

Tomorrow, under water, I will change it. Underwater research!

The bottom of the cockpit does not seal perfectly. I will tighten it up tomorrow.

Electronic problem: my 5-volt power supply is not good. I already checked it out. I will repair it in the marina. (I need 220 volts for soldering.)

 

Around noon I had a drink with ITCH and Franco (he is the watchman on the oil tanker). I invited them to have a glass from my Spanish vine (left over from Christmas). I have to speak French. I’m not too happy about it, but the vine makes it easier :)

In the afternoon we dipped in the brandy a little and then the vine. Then an other sailor joined us. I dished up my Christmas cuscus. The mood was at the highest :) Franco brings over some chicken with rice and that, of course is much better tasting then my cuscus. It’s made with chilli.

Next to me there are 4-5 smaller battleships. A soldier comes over to shoot the breeze with us. He is not drinking; this place is also Cape Verde’s navy base :)

“Is it not dangerous to go to Barbados with this small boat? Is it possible?” he asks me. My answer is that it is possible. It is not only the physical strength that decides this; the mental determination is equally important. Then an other solder joins us.  

 ITCH until now seen only three islands: Sao Vincent, Santo Antao, and Sal. It would cost him too much to travel to other places, but he craves for it.

   Later I go back to my boat to work.

At 16:00 I go into town with ITCH. After 1 or 2 hours on the Internet we go and have some beer. I try out Sao Vicente’s national drink, and then we go to the main square to see the FIESTA. At this time everybody is here; walks around, talks, eats, drinks or just stands around. There is also music :)

 I see two clowns; they entertain the crowd and further on, a children choir sing Christmas carols. It is strange to see those artificial Christmas trees out in the street. This is the place where the temperature never goes below 20 degrees C. Even in December the temperature is 28 deg. C. One can sun oneself all day long. This is their Christmas. Out on the street we eat some sweets and fish; this is what everybody eats here. Then I get quite sleepy and go back to bed.

12-26-2006 (day 94)

I am popular in the harbour because I have an interesting small boat. They think that I am brave; the vine the brandy and the cuscus add to this legend. Everybody waves when they see me:)

I finished writing my log in the morning and after that (9:00 UTC) I jumped in the water to change out the propeller shaft protector (stift). When I was having breakfast the fishing line entangled in the propeller and this so called  stift” broke. This is not a complicated thing to do, but what makes it difficult is that I have to do it under water.  After five or six dives and a couple of good ideas I was able to do it. After that I worked on the steering mechanism; the laminates came apart at places and I had to glue them back again. I felt some looseness when steering so I tightened and silicon glued them.

Unfortunately in the left front compartment I found a lot of water, but since everything was well packed, no damage occurred.

In the morning Ildo brought with him a service guy; when he saw my boat and heard my plan he started to laugh and, of course did not take on the work.

   In the morning I talked to a number of watchmen and fishermen. A few of them even invited me to go over to their place. I don’t know; maybe I’ll go. Later a Belgian world traveller came by; he took pictures so I had to pose :)) Maybe I will drink beer with this guy. It’s a small city; who knows?

At 12:00 noon I changed places in the marina. The engine is O.K.  The only problem is that sometimes the gas injection pump’s electronics is working, works only intermittently. If it does not work then I have to do it manually, which is not too easy.

   In the afternoon I was on the Internet and used the telephone. I get so much e-mail that it takes a while to answer them. So please be patient, eventually I’ll answer them all.

  Sightseeing: (church visit), shopping: (food items, fishing gear). I see many poor people here; many of them are beggars, and there are a lot of thieves and pirates too. Until now I was lucky. In the late afternoon and after 3 days I visited the police headquarters to register. The guy gave me hell because, he said, the first thing should have been to come to the police station. Well, I listened to the sermon. When I finished the necessary paperwork and he saw that my boat was made in Switzerland, he became friendly and we had a good talk. His parents were from Switzerland; they lived there for 36 years. He was born there and went to school there.
   In the evening I was talking with ITCH (30 years old) and his friends. Well, they don’t speak too much English, so we talked in French. My French is not too good, but it was enough here. One of his friends, Nilson is a painter. I have seen his pictures in the gallery and we talked about Picasso:) Nilson’s pictures are understandable, and posses something from him. He could be a successful painter in
Europe, but here there are only a few people who see and buy his work.
 A few words about the women: everything is a little loose here. When talking it is normal to hold my hand, touch my shoulder or stomach – I lost my belly:). (Here the women are very candid. They tell you exactly what they think:-) they are beautiful, but of course I am not interested.  My bushy beard, my hair are not too clean and my clothing is dirty and patched; so I’m not too presentable in front of women.

    I visited Itch’s place  (he lives in a Baptist settlement), and met his mother and brother. Unfortunately the guy is separated from his wife and his children. They know about divorce too.  We drank a little and ate a little and later his friend who drives a taxi gave me a ride to the marina.
In the evening we talked about politics. Corruption is everywhere. Just like in
Hungary. Talked about the history of Cape Verde and Hungary. They got their independence in 1975, although in 1974 they were still fighting for it.

12-27-2006 (day 95)
In the marina they look at my sailboat with awe. They say that I am brave and my reply is that I am an idiot.

  My boat is standing between a German and a French ship. The interesting things are that both older couple is getting ready to go to Barbados, and I am going there too. Those boats are making, -as an average - about 6-7 knots. My speed is only 3-3 knots. It takes them 17-18 days to arrive there.

My work for today:

I insulate the entrance door and tightened the screws. I fixed the cockpit door. (I don’t want any problem If I capsize)
 I tried out the electric anchor.

Unfortunately the gas injection pump is no good, the switch is shorted; I measured it.

My assignment for tomorrow is to find a solution for this. To do this by hand is difficult. Maybe it will be simple – just touch two wires together at every time :-)

I charged the camera’s battery from 220 V. The 5-volt output does not work. (Tomorrow’s assignment).

 My drill is starting to rust. I took it apart and greased it. Meanwhile I used the hand drill.

 I greased parts of the engine, also the compartments and my scissor. Many things start to rust.

 

I set up the sail and fixed the side braces (achterstag). Sometimes in a stiff wind the spanner loosens so I secured it with wire.

I had my standby battery charged.

I packed things differently. (According to my observations these are new methods).

I changed some money in the bank. The local money is escudo.

I went on the Internet. (I try to answer my e-mails)’

I bought a fishing outfit and did some shopping too.

Somebody from the autopilot repair shop took my autopilot in and will advise me tomorrow about my possibilities.

At noon Paul came over from the 460 Hunter. Between here and Las Palmas their boom and wind steering mechanism broke. The ship’s captain is a little aggressive and handles the ship a little rough. Paul is a diver and told me to do a little hunting because there is fish everywhere here.

   This afternoon I went in the city and ate a little roasted fish with rice (it cost 1.5 euro).
I stopped at Itch and he showed me his exhibition. (It is on the main street in a big house.)

Since he is a sculptor I gave him a small present from Hungary.
   In the evening I met a guy from
Gambia. His name was Nal-al. We looked around in the city. He showed me a few interesting spots. We also visited the Old Portuguese fort.

The view from there was fantastic. Then he invited me for a baked potato dinner. Nal lives on a two masted ship. The ship owner allowed it. We analysed the Gambian situation. We talked a little about politics. Many people are unemployed but they trying to stop the increases in birth rate. In a family they are allowed to have a maximum of three kids. I told him that in Hungary the population is declining. He had a hard time to believe it :)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting ready for the crossing:

 So far I spent 95 days and about 4500 miles on sea with the sailboat Carina. This was our joint preparation for the crossing. Carina is under trial for 95 days (and before that for 20 days in Slovenia and Croatia.) I have to make a few repairs and after that Carina will be ready for the task.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean:

  1. 2017 nm. Course: 268. Destination: Barbados (Bridgetown)
  2.  It will take about 44-50 days. This is an average of 40-50 nm/day.

 

 

The Hymn of Love   (1, Letter to the Corinthians 13), a fragment.

If I have the gift of prophesy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. If there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

 

                                                                                                       (Translated by: Károlyi L)