Summary... South Africa to Tobago

Summary South Africa to Tobago/Trinidad

WOW… so much to note!

The sea states, the different skies, clear versus cloud “shadows”, the “noise” of the wake and waves (always worse than its bite!). 

The beautiful phosphoresence at nite off the side wash and wake, the dark shadows of winged “passengers” who join us for a free ride, the Rock’in and Roll’in and keeping balance in turbulent seas…

The glowing lights and looms on the horizon of passing ships (why don’t they have AIS and show on the Radar?)…

Keeping the batteries charged (a constant challenge with power steering, fridges/freezers, radar etc) ...

Running (?!) to close all hatches as the rain starts…

Some TRX exercises on calm nites, Jen on the SSB trying to grab the grib files for weather, watching the sea temperature creep up and up, as do the sea miles (thousands of them)…

Aternating engines on still nites to keep us moving…

Thinking ahead to the next day – what to bake?, to eat?, and when to catch up on shuteye, what to read (never read so fast or so many novels at once). 

The watch crossovers…

The milestones – Equator/GMT/Mid-Ocean Swims/Best Mileage Days…

The sail changes (midnight in 25 knots…. Bring it on!)…

Brainstorming Boat improvements – helm seat, sail sheet configurations etc etc...

Enjoying “Chinese laundry” days…

The fish watching (Dolphins, Yellowfin Tuna, Flying Fish) and Fish catching – Skip Back Tuna, El Dorado – losing fish (7 lures, just “gone”!)…

Watching Movies and TV series (over 300 to chose from)  PUMPING the Tunes on the amazing Fusion Stereo…

Planning ahead for repairs – smashed in side window, busted pulleys and snapped halyards…

The art of Water-Making – an “Essential” luxury to keep us in some sort of normality and comfort…

Taking in stunning sunrises and sunsets, following shooting stars across star filled night skies…

Dreaming of Rum Cocktails or a Ice Cold Beer at the next port of call ( a “dry” passage is a safe passage!)…

The realization any pre-passage fears are gone and replaced with enjoyment of each days activities – Living in each moment of the trip!

Some Statistics:

Slowest Day            98 Nautical Miles

Fastest Day             200 Nautical Miles

Average Day            135 Nautical Miles

Fastest Speed            17.2 knots

Average Speed            5.6 knots

Water Used (on average)            300 litres per day

Sea Temperature Cape Town            17 Degrees Celcius

Sea Temperature just before Equator            30 Degrees Celcius

Total Mileage (Mykenos South Africa to Tobago)            5400 Nautical Miles

Biggest “Luxuries”

*The winner by far is… Water!!! Twice (or more daily) Showers, Washing Machine, Clean Boat etc etc.

*Music – huge thank you to Roddy from NZ & Phil from SA for being so generous and helping us with such a wonderful selection

*Movies – huge thank you to Phil from SA – what an amazing selection!

*Sound System – Fusion with Sub-woofers is awesome

*Freezers – Icecream, Iced Coffees etc what more could you ask for?

*And obviously a beautiful luxurious catamaran home “Our Rose”.

*Screecher – thank you to Johan & Marlene for advising us to order a screecher – we would have been much slower and lost without it! And also for all your advise and suggestions along our journey in building our Luxurious Home!