geem
Well-known member
We have a Duogen that in hydrogeneration mode is excellent on an ocean crossing.
Atlantic crossing
- Thread starter zoidberg
- Start date
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
We didn’t have a rule about reducing sail at night. It depended on what the weather looked like. We sailed fairly conservatively. The sail plan was twin headsails poled out. First and easy option to reduce sail was to roll away part or all of the roller genoa. In extremis next step was to drop the hanked on genoa and lash it down (or just sit on it until the squall passed.
When I was on watch in the small hours wd had one squall that got to 35 knots apparent. We rolled away a bit of the roller genoa and sailed very fast for 30 minutes or so. We never got to stage two or three.
We do have a wind generator. It helps but doesn’t solve all problems. (It’s a Superwind)
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
I should have also mentioned that we actually rolled the sides and rear of the Bimini/cockpit enclosure down in a couple of heavy squalls. Driving torrential tropical rain and we sat/stood in the dry….
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
Just remembered: Once when we caught a large fish we went to stage 3. No sails and bare poles. We were still doing three or four knots…. After fighting the fish for over four hours, it then escaped.
Kelpie
Well-known member
We didn't bother slowing down for fish... we did snap a rod though. There's some big fish down there.
zoidberg
Well-known member
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
We slowed down after I’d been fighting it for well over an hour. After 4 and a 1/2 hours it escaped and I was cream crackered.
We’ve since resolved that if a really big fish hits the lure we’re just going to let it go.
Bajansailor
Well-known member
I think that one generally will stand a better chance of catching a 'small' (ie easily manageable) fish if you use a relatively small lure, and just have it skipping in the wake about one boat length behind the transom.
This works very well for 'small' dorados.
However billfish like marlin and sailfish also like lures that are skipping along, and if you hook one of these then you certainly have a fight on your hands!
This works very well for 'small' dorados.
However billfish like marlin and sailfish also like lures that are skipping along, and if you hook one of these then you certainly have a fight on your hands!
geem
Well-known member
You don't need to fight the fish. The advantage of handlines is you just leave the fish being towed. If it gets off then fine. It's toobig anyway. If it stays on it will tire due to the speed the boat is going. Once they tire they pull in pretty easily on a handlineI think that one generally will stand a better chance of catching a 'small' (ie easily manageable) fish if you use a relatively small lure, and just have it skipping in the wake about one boat length behind the transom.
This works very well for 'small' dorados.
However billfish like marlin and sailfish also like lures that are skipping along, and if you hook one of these then you certainly have a fight on your hands!
Bajansailor
Well-known member
Yes, a strong handline is much easier to use really than a sports fishing rod, and much less expensive as well.
All of the commercial fishermen here use handlines when they are trolling - only the sports fishing boats use rods.
All of the commercial fishermen here use handlines when they are trolling - only the sports fishing boats use rods.
zoidberg
Well-known member
Laser310
Well-known member
you can put the line around an electric winch
not very sporting.., but it works.
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
I
If only we had electric winches….
Laser310
Well-known member
next you will tell me you don't have air conditioning!
Kelpie
Well-known member
We don't even have an electric windlass!
Lifted 80m of 10mm chain and a 25kg anchor this morning, in 25m depth. Before breakfast. After a row and a swim. I guess that makes it a triathlon.
Never. Again.
zoidberg
Well-known member
I s'pose that's why our friend Neeves encourages us to retrofit 6mm chain..... and aluminium anchors!
Last edited:
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
What do you mean!? We’ve got some very nice electric fans and opening hatches and a Bimini over the cockpit. Are you telling me there ard other ways to keep cool?
From where I’m sitting atm:
I had to be careful taking that pic as Mrs Morris is in the shower and our cabin door is open…
geem
Well-known member
No need at the moment. Its unseasonably chilly. Need a sheet on a night
t21
Active member
Stingo I am VERY SORRY about throwing a live flying fish down your open hatch and which jumped about and woke you while you were asleep on that Transat 15years ago. It was very silly and inconsiderate of me. I hope you can get over it and any other stuff but I completely understand if not. Sorry again.
t21
Active member
Re OP question… YM are senior ARC sponsors so Christine Keeler applies: they would say that wouldn’t they?
I’m on 17th Transat now, first time with Starlink and writing this at 30N 46W bout 1k miles to any shore altho as Stingo once said to worried newbie crew “never more than a few miles from land - straight down” haha
4 with ARC, 4 solo, others with crew narcishly. I wouldn’t do another ARC because err, I got banned! Haha
I slagged off the arc organisers on a long-ago MailASail blog now gone … for taking a WEEK to answer an enroute satellite email with medical query on behalf of another crew (not Stingo but also forumite here). Another shoreside friend answered in under an hour.
In St Lucia they demanded a meeting: would I reconsider/delete that I thought their organisation a bit useless really? Umm not unless there’s really great reasons for zero usable response from the only time I asked, Nope. So AB sez Right then! You’re barred from upcoming World arc and we’ll refund entry so hah! I said Oh ok whatever I’ll go without your lot.
But then they refunded me the £££ world arc fee AND they refunded the fees I paid for just-completed actual ARC! Which kinda proves my point.
ARC is a social thing. J Cornell dreamed it up in LAs Palmas 1986. A pal Rob was there at same time and all others derided the pointless idea. It worked but as per most things that doesn’t mean it’s vital or better. How many rubbish parties with plastic glasses and the cheapest wine do you want?
Arc is nice to meet likeminded nice well-off folk with new oyster or cat. going on often peri-retirement adventure (or instead of actually selling up and sail) and Arc ticket will keep family from worrying too much, ish.
ARC can be financially justifiable cos you get gteed berth in LP = cheapest marina in Europe to park boat in say Aug and then Arc fees can easily be £worth the saving against leaving it in other marinas.
You meet nice folk and it’s a handy gauge if only to learn “I wouldn’t do that!” stuff.
Rolnautic guys in LP estimate ARC accounts for around 10% of 2-3,000 Transat types from canaries each year.
ARC does some briefings at start but they seem not to have built any IP over the years. If they had, where’s the £199+ ARC Ultimate Atlantic Crossing Manual, see? YM try do “stats” post-ARC but these all compiled from box-ticking data by v drunk skippers or Oh you do it, after much free rum on arrival in St Lucia. After first tine I didn’t bother helping YM make daft “statistical conclusions”
The safety stuff is okay as far as it goes but massively incomplete and outa date. No check on spares, food, water, crew and lots more. SSB required on world arc hoho. Yet still No req for any AIS (or has that changed?) it seems the organisers are still the boring accountants who bought the biz from Cornell after 1 Transat themselves. Last Day Before Leaving “skipper briefing” sounds important right ? Nope, they read out the handout notes, slowly. “Don’t forget to get ropes and fenders ready in St Lucia ok?” Jeez
Dozens of millionaires thus arrive in Rodney Bay marina in Dec. Thus of locals around bars most (but not all) females are prostitutes and most but not all guys are thieves and this is a great pre-Xmas giveaway. Marina security staff asked me for cash to look look after boat etc. And EVERY time I went on ARC someone (many) had wallet handbag etc stolen on arrival. Or worse qv GFS.
Rally Cruise in company “safety” is bollox as no boat in sight and all are slower and smaller behind you. If you really needed help check Marine Traffic to see lots real ships never more than 3? hours away in Atlantic if real genuine emergency. Probably much less.
World ARC and return eastbound multi-stop tour definitely No - cos weather v fixed restarts. I’ve seen them await pre-planned departure on World arc into crap wx when day or two earlier much nicer. But there’s sponsored parties till the planned date see, and local tourism sponsorship too. Hence ARC always leaves LP third Sunday in Nov so whole thing done by Xmas and cheaper staff. Arc also requests spinnakers up for nice pix for sponsors first half hour. Oh very important yeah right. Yes i KNOW we’re allowed to leave early but that’s like saying you can buy sandwiches when the already-paid restaurant is rubbish.
Arc organisers might seem expert with fat info file but much of it is adverts and Vital ARC Flag. Few staff are as expert at Transat as many on this forum frexample. You won’t much try quiz many if any ARC staff for expert info. I interrupted seminar which announced that “double handing is like single handing 24/7” Wtf? No it very isn’t. Solo is different from any other.
Numptiness also includes them email requesting mid Atlantic me to head 300nm S to meet another boat who hadn’t brought a spare impeller for busted generator. I said er but it’s my spare innit? If they use it I’ll have no spare, duh? They will have to manage without aircon okay? Ffs
So I wd recommend E to W ARC (don’t stop else seasicky homesicky crew might leave at crap Verdes) at least once and for a mono once across is often enough, tick, now lets fly home for Xmas and get boat shipped. Yes, not for skint types. It’s to stop him whining about “sailing off” and anyway we always go skiing in Feb.
Are they really enabling broader horizons or selling false security to some who perhaps should think more themselves? If you ve been across before you won’t be impressed or learn much. But yeah, help with admin a bit. Though meh, Easiest is arrive at a French island, of course. I’ve never checked out of Spain on departure except with fusspot arc.
As not-very-boaty admin types, Arc fleets visit marinas that they can get a load of boats in AND a discount. Not the places that are nicest and don’t need them thanks. Hout Bay RSA is meh whereas v+a in CT is where you want to go. And many other examples. Including Rodney bay with airport hours away that few would visit if not arriving at end arc or wanting to be robbed.
The big LP departure is v colourful for all. Maybe get outa marina before or long after marching band arrives and all boats rush drop lines and crash into each other at exit?
Finally…as per audio below I got another couple to help me prank the ARC fleet re the silly pointless helicopter demo at LP whilst I was Narcing a couple of years back. And Nobody said a word! Haha. Bit worrying really- Obv the arc staff radio thought it was real and didn’t say WTF was That???- There’s no laid-on helicopters !
I’m on 17th Transat now, first time with Starlink and writing this at 30N 46W bout 1k miles to any shore altho as Stingo once said to worried newbie crew “never more than a few miles from land - straight down” haha
4 with ARC, 4 solo, others with crew narcishly. I wouldn’t do another ARC because err, I got banned! Haha
I slagged off the arc organisers on a long-ago MailASail blog now gone … for taking a WEEK to answer an enroute satellite email with medical query on behalf of another crew (not Stingo but also forumite here). Another shoreside friend answered in under an hour.
In St Lucia they demanded a meeting: would I reconsider/delete that I thought their organisation a bit useless really? Umm not unless there’s really great reasons for zero usable response from the only time I asked, Nope. So AB sez Right then! You’re barred from upcoming World arc and we’ll refund entry so hah! I said Oh ok whatever I’ll go without your lot.
But then they refunded me the £££ world arc fee AND they refunded the fees I paid for just-completed actual ARC! Which kinda proves my point.
ARC is a social thing. J Cornell dreamed it up in LAs Palmas 1986. A pal Rob was there at same time and all others derided the pointless idea. It worked but as per most things that doesn’t mean it’s vital or better. How many rubbish parties with plastic glasses and the cheapest wine do you want?
Arc is nice to meet likeminded nice well-off folk with new oyster or cat. going on often peri-retirement adventure (or instead of actually selling up and sail) and Arc ticket will keep family from worrying too much, ish.
ARC can be financially justifiable cos you get gteed berth in LP = cheapest marina in Europe to park boat in say Aug and then Arc fees can easily be £worth the saving against leaving it in other marinas.
You meet nice folk and it’s a handy gauge if only to learn “I wouldn’t do that!” stuff.
Rolnautic guys in LP estimate ARC accounts for around 10% of 2-3,000 Transat types from canaries each year.
ARC does some briefings at start but they seem not to have built any IP over the years. If they had, where’s the £199+ ARC Ultimate Atlantic Crossing Manual, see? YM try do “stats” post-ARC but these all compiled from box-ticking data by v drunk skippers or Oh you do it, after much free rum on arrival in St Lucia. After first tine I didn’t bother helping YM make daft “statistical conclusions”
The safety stuff is okay as far as it goes but massively incomplete and outa date. No check on spares, food, water, crew and lots more. SSB required on world arc hoho. Yet still No req for any AIS (or has that changed?) it seems the organisers are still the boring accountants who bought the biz from Cornell after 1 Transat themselves. Last Day Before Leaving “skipper briefing” sounds important right ? Nope, they read out the handout notes, slowly. “Don’t forget to get ropes and fenders ready in St Lucia ok?” Jeez
Dozens of millionaires thus arrive in Rodney Bay marina in Dec. Thus of locals around bars most (but not all) females are prostitutes and most but not all guys are thieves and this is a great pre-Xmas giveaway. Marina security staff asked me for cash to look look after boat etc. And EVERY time I went on ARC someone (many) had wallet handbag etc stolen on arrival. Or worse qv GFS.
Rally Cruise in company “safety” is bollox as no boat in sight and all are slower and smaller behind you. If you really needed help check Marine Traffic to see lots real ships never more than 3? hours away in Atlantic if real genuine emergency. Probably much less.
World ARC and return eastbound multi-stop tour definitely No - cos weather v fixed restarts. I’ve seen them await pre-planned departure on World arc into crap wx when day or two earlier much nicer. But there’s sponsored parties till the planned date see, and local tourism sponsorship too. Hence ARC always leaves LP third Sunday in Nov so whole thing done by Xmas and cheaper staff. Arc also requests spinnakers up for nice pix for sponsors first half hour. Oh very important yeah right. Yes i KNOW we’re allowed to leave early but that’s like saying you can buy sandwiches when the already-paid restaurant is rubbish.
Arc organisers might seem expert with fat info file but much of it is adverts and Vital ARC Flag. Few staff are as expert at Transat as many on this forum frexample. You won’t much try quiz many if any ARC staff for expert info. I interrupted seminar which announced that “double handing is like single handing 24/7” Wtf? No it very isn’t. Solo is different from any other.
Numptiness also includes them email requesting mid Atlantic me to head 300nm S to meet another boat who hadn’t brought a spare impeller for busted generator. I said er but it’s my spare innit? If they use it I’ll have no spare, duh? They will have to manage without aircon okay? Ffs
So I wd recommend E to W ARC (don’t stop else seasicky homesicky crew might leave at crap Verdes) at least once and for a mono once across is often enough, tick, now lets fly home for Xmas and get boat shipped. Yes, not for skint types. It’s to stop him whining about “sailing off” and anyway we always go skiing in Feb.
Are they really enabling broader horizons or selling false security to some who perhaps should think more themselves? If you ve been across before you won’t be impressed or learn much. But yeah, help with admin a bit. Though meh, Easiest is arrive at a French island, of course. I’ve never checked out of Spain on departure except with fusspot arc.
As not-very-boaty admin types, Arc fleets visit marinas that they can get a load of boats in AND a discount. Not the places that are nicest and don’t need them thanks. Hout Bay RSA is meh whereas v+a in CT is where you want to go. And many other examples. Including Rodney bay with airport hours away that few would visit if not arriving at end arc or wanting to be robbed.
The big LP departure is v colourful for all. Maybe get outa marina before or long after marching band arrives and all boats rush drop lines and crash into each other at exit?
Finally…as per audio below I got another couple to help me prank the ARC fleet re the silly pointless helicopter demo at LP whilst I was Narcing a couple of years back. And Nobody said a word! Haha. Bit worrying really- Obv the arc staff radio thought it was real and didn’t say WTF was That???- There’s no laid-on helicopters !
Last edited: