All is OK. Wind ENE 4-5bu (11 to 21 knots) with occasional 6bu (27knots)
position is 23D12N 30D33W with a day run of 148NM. RGDS DAMIAN

Covered 860 of the 3,036 miles on the red rum line. 2176 miles to go to Antigua

All is well, and getting warmer and calmer - which makes for a more pleasant trip. Position at 1300UT today is 23d 39N28d 22 W. The day run 146nms lightly down on previous, but less surfing as the seas have settled somewhat. Wind E/ ENE 4-5 occ 6 with clearing skies. RegardsDamian

Glad all Satphone messages are getting thru. Yes we do seem to be getting into a good stride. Position at 1400ut today is 26d 08N27d 22W with winds east to ENE 4-5bu (11 to 21 knots) turning East. We had a day run of 158nm. All good. General weather situation is looking more settled. I expect easterlies 4 to 5bu (11 to 21 knots) for a while now. Regards Damian

All good - though wind neglected to die down last night - so a little lumpy, and having to play dodge the cloudy, but otherwise okay. Position this morning at 0800 UT 25d 57.7N, 23d 39.53W Skies clearing, but still plenty of clouds, wind NNE to NE 4 -6B (11, gusting to 27 knots) reefed down and moving along comfortably. We had a 158nm day run. Regards Damian

ALL OK. Position is 26D40N 22D13W.
OVERCAST. Day run iss 158nm
WIND NE 5-6B (17, gusting to 27 knots) and Decreasing. RGDS DAMIAN

Well all is well we left without problem and have cleared the Canarie island chain.
Weather has been too calm - and have had to motor a lot, but the wind is returning.
Or position is 26d 41.05N, 18d 57.84W we have covered 213 nm since we left.
We should be able to pick up the pace a little now. General conditions are good for the crossing.
As far as the Furuno Wind Instrument not talking to the Autopilot, In short - it is as though they fitted the power boat version of the system, rather than the sail version. I will txt position tomorrow and email the following day - and so on. Have a great weekend. Regards Damian

Off to cross the Atlantic to Antigua

-
We are leaving this afternoon. I have had Furuno on board to review the problem of the Wind instrument not talking to the Autopilot. The result is that a unit was not fitted with a part for that connection.
Gran Canaria is pleasant enough, but it is good to get moving again. All is looking good. As to preference to catamaran or monohull - it depènds on general conditions, it is very pleasant being upright and being able to put things down and they stay there.... Though the sailing can be livelier on a monohull. So it is a mixed bag, mostly I really enjoy the process as a whole and the time at sea. Will update position at least every 2 days. Regards Damian

Getting ready for the next 3039 mile leg

Best sustained speed we had was 7.5kts - We could be a little quicker - but I keep sail reduced to cut stress on the boat. We were regularly surfing at 9kts comfortably and with out over powering at all. In General the winds are looking excellant for he next leg.



Yep, oil change is all done. Basically one day to rest, one day to provision and check over the rigging etc, and make a few minor adjustments. Regards Damian

Covered 1,637 miles, Next stop Antigua

We are in Gran Canaria. Planning to to leave on Wednesday/ Thursday.
I will email before we leave. No on board email - Regards Damian

Next passage will be 18 days 3,039 miles to Antigua

Covered 1339 miles, 296 miles to Grand Canaria

All is OK. Position is 31d46n 12d31w. Weather is good. Wind w-wnw 2-3. todays 24 hour run is 146nm. Regards Damian

Well just finished Catatuding the Dock Cart. What do you think :)

1163 miles covered, 472 miles to Grand Canaria

Todays position ;33d52.8N, 10d55.3W for a Day run of 137 nm weather has improved blue skies and 'Simpson' clouds... Wind W3 - 5 All going well. Should arrive in Grand Canaria late Saturday early Sunday morning. Regards Damian

1,023 miles coverd so far

All is OK. POSN. 35D59N 10D04W. Weather today is Showers.
WIND W 5-6. DAY RUN 140NM. Regards Damian

A few Dolphins and Whales sighted

Have been mostly sailing. As I said the Furuno is not a problem, more of an inconvenience. Todays position; 37d45.8N, 11d25.33W. for a 148nm run in last 24 hrs. Much more like it. We have had a bit of weather today; running south is the best - and as it is our route all should be well. Wind currently west 17, gusting 27 knots. Seas moderate to rough. We are well reefed and holding well. A few Dolphins and Whales sighted in the distance will try for some decent photos. Regards Damian

Weather is Fair

All OK. Position. 40D09N 10D29W. Weather is Fair.
WIND W-NW 11 to 21 knots. Day Run 130NM

On our way to Gran Canaria (Canaries Islands)

Position as of 0930 UT on Easter Sunday 4-12-09 is 42d 32.8N, 10d 05.9 W Covered 135 nm in the last 24hrs. All well aboard.We have a minor hiccup with the autopilot - with its wind following function. I have spoken to Furuno and will see some one at Gran Canaria - if it fits with our time. It does not cause us a major problem, so will not wait for a technician. But wanted to make sure they were aware of the problem. The unit is operating fine otherwise, and I don't believe it is anything serious.

Heading for the Canaries

You will be glad to hear we will be underway shortly. I am just checking the weather and then we go. Sea is still a little high - but the cross seas should be gone, and no head winds for a while. Hoping to arrive in the Canaries in approx 8 days. Regards Damian

Luckily Viveiro is pleasant, though quiet...

SW Beaufort wind force of 5 - 7 - average 25kts, gusting 35 with very rough 6 to 13 ft sea's. Head on is not pleasant, and not good for boat or crew. Wind is turning northerly giving very confused seas in Finisterre. The wind is calming down on Friday and the seas should settle by Saturday morning. This is a notorious area with little shelter, hence the caution. There may be some strong winds as we head south, but will be down wind and offshore, so the sea state will be better.

Luckily the town is pleasant though quiet.Though there are some pleasant resturants...We generally take it easy, look around as the time allow. Much depends on if I know we are definately stuck for a few days or not. Hoping to rent a bicycle and look around tomorrow. Generally though as weather is not good we sit tight and watch the weather.Carrying a small library is always useful. Regards, Damian

In Viviero Spain until Fri. or Sat.

We are still in Viviero Spain. We had to abort leaving due to the rough seas and bad weather. It looks like Friday or Saturday morning, as I said before, after this the general situation is good. Catatude is performing well, everything is in order; and there appears to be no ex factory problems. Regards, Captain Damian

In Viviero Spain

We have pulled in briefly to avoid a SW gale & bad seas at Finisterre.
We are currently in Viviero, approx 60 miles east of Coruna. We are continuing on now, possibly stopping in A Coruna. Sea's are notorious around this area. If we have to stop in A Coruna, we will be stuck for a couple of days. Otherwise beyond here the general situation is looking good. Regards, Captain Damian

Catatude Left France today to start her Transatlantic Journey

Well she is on her way. Captain Damian and two crew members left LaRochelle France today at 2:20 pm there time 8:20am this morning our Eastern standard time. The first day was low to no wind which is perfect for crossing Biscay Bay, which can be rough. The bay is 400 miles across, so it will take a few days to cross. Damian will be sending satphone LAT & LONG's on a daily basis to us so we can track the progress. After months of planning it's really nice to see things comming together.

What a difference a day makes

I read this statement from our Captain Damian.
"You will be glad to hear we will be removing the carpet on arrival - not the best quality - or color." Of course, I am thinking Oh no the carpet under the salon table was damaged. Boy was I surprised. Damian put protective carpeting and bubble wrap on everything.

Wow what a job, everything is covered, even the stove top. He also removed the lazy bag with lazy jacks and checked the rigging and added some protection on the spreaders.

Captain Damian is loading all the supplies for Catatude's trip

All is good for a Friday 4-4-09 departure from LaRochelle France - the guys from Furuno come Friday to calibrate the autopilot at lunchtime and we leave directly after they are finished. Weather is looking good, little wind - possibly no wind. Definately the better way of things for escaping Biscay Bay. Our first stop will be wind dependant. But I will update you en-route regarding our first stop.