2024-09-18
Emden
marina
via 75% offshore
to
Oostende
marina
| Vessel | Blues | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission | Transport | |||
| Distance (planned) | 240 | NM | 5.0 | knots |
| Distance (travelled) | 307 | NM | 6.4 | knots |
| Duration | 48 | hours | ||
| max speed | 13.8 | knots | ||
| Conditions | strong breeze / near gale from behind | |||
| Skipper | Boran | Crew | Mathilde | |
Boran's Notes
Mathilde and I had a successful [*] journey from Emden to Oostende in 47 hours. We sailed 300 NM (compared to 240 NM shortest possible course), partially because we were jibing downwind (vor dem Wind kreuzen) for better VMG, and partially because we had limited maneuverability for a while, and had to pass a huge wind farm on the lee side.
We have had a number of incidents that we could either fix or work around en route, fortunately. Mathilde did prove not only perfect navigation and steering skills, but also nerves of steel during the tricky moments, and extreme endurance while the technical problems in the second night prevented us from taking more naps.
Also this has been a team effort for the virtual crew: on-board and on-line. Thank you for your social, emotional and knowledge support dear Jens (Emden), Matthias, Bart, and most importantly: Lies.
Blues proved to be good at sailing. We could easily pick up 10 knots in wind force 5, and 12 knots at force 6. Personally I am very happy this this journey.
Thank you all for participating and contributing!
[*] definition of success: 1. nobody got hurt, and 2. boat in one piece.
Incidents
- portside engine could not be lifted (workaround: unmount)
- lost steering wheel power in a tack (workaround: tiller steering for a while)
- lost battery capacity at night, due to wet solar charge controller and old batteries
- unable to start engine for port entry (had to be towed in)