Now I'm REALLY excited.....

[nicho]

Now I\'m REALLY excited.....

.... because I've just signed up to help crew a new 45 foot Jeanneau on a delivery trip from Gibraltar to Gran Canaria (around 800 miles I believe), where the owner joins the boat to take it on the ARC (I'm coming home!). Under the skippership of a Commercial Yachtmaster, we (six in total) will leave Gib. on 28th of October, and arrive in Gran canaria on 9th November. It will be fairly leisurely, with decent stops in Casablanca, Lanzarote and Tenerife, and no more than three/four days at sea on any leg. Has anyone done this trip or one similar before? I'd be interested in their experiences. We are promised dolphins and whales (but no mention of pirates) and lots of sunshine. I've never slept on a boat that's actually sailing before, though I guess I'll be so knackered after middle of the night watches, I should have no problems dropping off.

It's five or six weeks off yet, but as I say, I'm REALLY excited!!

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[penfold]

luxury!

6 crew! You'll hardly have to spend any time on watch at all! I would imagine you'll be doing 1 hour on 5 off, which is luxury as far as delivery crews go. Also being a fairly short delivery you won't have time to get bored with each others' cooking!

Being alone at the helm at night can be a magical experience, especially when you're offshore and out of the shipping lanes; no loom from street lights, and you're going at the right time of year for the best shooting stars, or so I'm told. I'm sure you'll have a great time. If I could afford it I'd go back and do more deliveries. PM me if you have any questions.

cheers,
David

<hr width=100% size=1>What in the wide, wide world of sports is goin' on here?

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Now I\'m REALLY excited.....

You have evry right to be excited, you'll have a ball, especially with that many crew, be able to play with all the sails! best of luck and fair winds to you!

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[Twister_Ken]

Converted

Well, I guess we can now forgive you your motorboat past!

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[nicho]

Re: Now I\'m REALLY excited.....

Thanks Colin, I hope it turns out that way!

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[jimi]

Re: Now I\'m REALLY excited.....

Good luck and fair winds, its a big crew so do'nt forget to pack the deoderant! Presume that some of the crew may drop out before the trip so there's a fair chance it could end up just being 4 or so!

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[AndrewB]

Skippership??

Yuk! Don't they COMMAND any more? /forums/images/icons/crazy.gif

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[Rowana]

Re: Now I\'m REALLY excited.....

6 of you? That's luxury!

I did a delivery trip in June this year of a brand-new Fontaine-Pajot 38ft cat from La Rochelle to Lanzarote. There were only 3 of us on board - Skipper, Mate & myself. We did 3-on 6-off watches.

From La Rochelle, we were originally going straight to Cascais where the owner was to join us, but we had to call into Camarinas for more diesel, as there was absolutely no wind - In the bay of biscay, no less.

We had a couple of days in Cascais, then sailed direct to Lanzarote. Apart for a bit of shipping coming out of the med, we were virtually on our own. Seen dolphins, whales and a couple of turtles to break the monotony.

I'm off on another trip this Sunday to take a Sweden 45 back to Gothenburg after the SBS. Again, just 3 of us.

You'll find it enjoyable, Im sure, but possibly a bit crowded with 6 on board. Ok if everyone gets on ok, but could be a bit of a bug**r if there is a misfit in camp!

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[Lynette]

Have a great time!

My first ocean passage was from Gibraltar, delivering a Sigma 33 with four guys. I can remember the excitement well. Like many things, there's nothing quite like the first time.

It should be all T-shirt sailing, you shouldn't need more than light-weight gear.

I think only the Casablanca - Lanzarotte leg should mean more than one night at sea. I often can't sleep first night out. Don't try to force it, take a good book and other things to do. People spend a lot of time swapping stories.

Good luck, it'll be fun.

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[nicho]

Re: Now I\'m REALLY excited.....

As long as he's not a "camp" misfit...!! Thanks for the wishes.

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[nicho]

Re: Converted

Does this mean I've finally been accepted? Is that it though, just some throw away comment? No certificate? No ceremony? No trousers rolled up to the knee? I'm well disappointed.

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[nicho]

Re: Skippership??

OK, OK, it was a bad word, sorry if it offended you!!

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[nicho]

Re: Now I\'m REALLY excited.....

The boat has a generator and watermaker etc, so there's no excuse for being "whiffey". Also, I've just had to confess to the good wife that two of the crew are in fact ladies - that was probobly the most dangerous part of the exercise. I can see it's going to be really hard trip!!

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[Twister_Ken]

Re: Converted

Tell her you're accepted. It'll make explaining away rope burns much easier.

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[tony_brighton]

Re: Now I\'m REALLY excited.....

I've done it before - its a nice trip. But the advice we had at the time was to avoid Casablanca as its a "toilet".

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