Old Varnish (Paul Heiney) is having a very difficult time at sea

[lenseman]

If you have not been following the adventures of Wind Song, Paul is having a very difficult time in unimaginable seas, with engine failure, little food and no water maker. He is currently riding out a storm, and has been for the past four days or so, hove-to with about 50 miles to safe haven:

Conditions deteriorating here. Very big seas. Low is stuck, wind ENE 35k+ There is no moderation in the forecast before Monday so I could be stuck out here some time if I have to heave-to. Seas will soon be so large that it won't be safe to run with them.
Hove to is fine but the drift is 340 and. Flores is 302..
Friday
Horta impossible. Food still OK but no engine to run watermaker. Plan to get shelter W of island of Flores, go round to harbour when wind allows and make repairs. Wait for chance to get boat to Horta. Low f/cast through to Thursday next. Hove to.
Saturday
Distance 49nm to Flores, there is safe anchorage to the West, but harbour can't be approached in strong E/ly. Hove to all day, drifting nicely twd Flores at 2k but will have to start sailing tomorrow at dawn
Sunday a.m.
Underway, sea down wind down 33 miles to shelter. V easy 4k under staysail. Severe breaking wave took old Avon dinghy last night (got spare below). Hell of a wave. Sounded as if boat was splitting open but no damage.

Godspeed Paul.




.

 

[PhillM]

Wow

Admiration, sounds so cool and matter of fact in conditions I'd be terrified of.

 

[Applescruffs]

If you have not been following the adventures of Wind Song, Paul is having a very difficult time in unimaginable seas, with engine failure, little food and no water maker. He is currently riding out a storm, and has been for the past four days or so, hove-to with about 50 miles to safe haven:

Conditions deteriorating here. Very big seas. Low is stuck, wind ENE 35k+ There is no moderation in the forecast before Monday so I could be stuck out here some time if I have to heave-to. Seas will soon be so large that it won't be safe to run with them.
Hove to is fine but the drift is 340 and. Flores is 302..
Friday
Horta impossible. Food still OK but no engine to run watermaker. Plan to get shelter W of island of Flores, go round to harbour when wind allows and make repairs. Wait for chance to get boat to Horta. Low f/cast through to Thursday next. Hove to.
Saturday
Distance 49nm to Flores, there is safe anchorage to the West, but harbour can't be approached in strong E/ly. Hove to all day, drifting nicely twd Flores at 2k but will have to start sailing tomorrow at dawn
Sunday a.m.
Underway, sea down wind down 33 miles to shelter. V easy 4k under staysail. Severe breaking wave took old Avon dinghy last night (got spare below). Hell of a wave. Sounded as if boat was splitting open but no damage.

Godspeed Paul.




.

All part of the 'stuff' and kind-of why we do this......if it all went well every time...and we had no story to tell...etc...etc...

But fair play Paul.....sounds like you've turned a corner and it's getting calmer,

Any consolation.......it's been a beautiful day in Woodbridge, sun shining....4-5knots .......

and yes...you can call me a B@STARD !!

 

[yoda]

Further update here:

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/wildsong/

Calm in the face of adversity.

 

[capnsensible]

Hiya Paul, don't know if you will get to read this but....

Well done for getting in, been pasted there myself! Anyway, a few years ago there was a woman who was magic with sail repairs there. As you walk up the hill to the bar above the harbour she is in one of the cottages on your stbd side. Sure locals will point you right, was cheap too.

Fair winds!

 

[sarabande]

If Old Varnish needs a relief crew to help on the last leg, I reckon we could rustle up a few to help.

How to contact him ? Anyone know ?

 

[Blueboatman]

Golly . Two months at sea, a war of attrition . Glad he got in for a restup after what reads like some tough sailing. Best of luck for a 'force four club' run back on the final leg as n when.