Trip to Europe (and back) begins

[jssailem]

MUSETTA Arrived at Port HORTA

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NOTIFICATION​ MUSETTA arrived at Port HORTA at 2023-08-11 21:35 Local Time (2023-08-11 21:35 UTC) Time of Arrival/Departure is the time the Vessel approaches the entrance/exit of the Port respectively. Time: 2023-08-11 21:35 UTC Position: N 38° 32.02', W 028° 37.34' Speed/Course: 5.9 knots / 202° Area: UKC - Azores Source of Position: TERR-AIS

 

[jssailem]

Congratulations DAVID AND GABRIEL.

 

[Sail22Capri22]

Wow great job

 

[Hayden Watson]

It is an interesting question and my answer may surprise you a bit. Both Gabriel and myself are frequently checking with each other about being tired and state of tiredness. It has turned out that he and I are remarkably compatible in our biorhythms. We don't run a strict schedule at all. We check in with each other frequently to see if one is tired and needs to sleep while the other can now take over. At times, each has said to the other- "you look tired, go rest, I'll take over".

We have worked together in this way since July 2nd when we started. It has worked better than any other regiment I've sailed under. Essentially, each person gets the sleep they need. We have remained quite rested with only a few days of exceptions during heavy weather when we both were both pushed hard.

dj

When we drove truck, we would do the same as regards to sleep to the one most needing it. With driving your life and those on the road with you depended on the one behind the wheel being not only awake but alert and attentive. The hardest time was starting out after having several days off. We would inevitably start out late in the day and because we had both been sleeping and awake at the same time, neither of us would be able to stay alert for long. I would drive far enough to clear the city maybe a couple of hours. Then she would take over for a few. We would continue to play tag team until we could get back to our normal 5 & 5.

 

[dLj]

When we drove truck, we would do the same as regards to sleep to the one most needing it. With driving your life and those on the road with you depended on the one behind the wheel being not only awake but alert and attentive. The hardest time was starting out after having several days off. We would inevitably start out late in the day and because we had both been sleeping and awake at the same time, neither of us would be able to stay alert for long. I would drive far enough to clear the city maybe a couple of hours. Then she would take over for a few. We would continue to play tag team until we could get back to our normal 5 & 5.

Very similar. Although we don't have a lot of down time. The other thing is I can sleep anywhere, anytime. So if we are both awake, and we know a switch will need to be done, I can simply go to sleep and then drop into the schedule. Gabriel has been impressed. Hahaha... He says he's jealous, and wishes he could sleep like that.

dj

 

[jssailem]

Sleep comes easy to me. I was told that it was a sign of a pure mind at ease with life.

Then I read a quote attributed to Martin Luther.

Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!

Martin Luther

 

[kappykaplan]

I'll try to remember to get photos the next time I'm on the boat.

Here they are.

 

[dLj]

With driving your life and those on the road with you depended on the one behind the wheel being not only awake but alert and attentive.

Some very interesting similarities to long distance sailing....

dj

 

[dLj]

Sitting in Horta very much enjoying it here. So here are some photos. Man I gotta get this phone fixed. I can basically get about two photos and then the phone freezes.. Here is a shot across the harbor over at Pico, my boat is down in the harbor you can see the two blue sunbrella covered foresails.

Later I was sitting in Peters Cafe writing in my journal, a young lady took this photo and asked if she could keep it and if I wanted a copy - of course!


dj

 

[JamesG161]

I could not resist...

Jim...

 

[jviss]

Very cool! You look like Hemingway.

 

[dLj]

Very cool! You look like Hemingway.

Good grief, you are the second person to say that to me! As I said to the first, way above my pay grade!

dj

 

[JamesG161]

As I said to the first, way above my pay grade!

We have you trapped now

Under your sun hat is this face hiding.



but Hemingway's best novel, made into a movie, was this, since Bogart had a fishing boat.





Jim...

 

[PaulK]

Where next?

 

[dLj]

Where next?

I've some boat fixing to finish up. Having broken sliders in my luff cloth and dropped a spreader both must be fully repaired before continuing. I've also done a full service on my engine revealing some interesting deficiencies that have been addressed. One must be postponed until arriving to the main land but it's got a good temporary fix. I'm also struggling with my water system. I've had to pull both water tanks inspection covers off and clean the insides and all lines. That is done, but my pressure pump is not coming up to pressure. I'm hoping to find the root cause of that today. I've two items left on my must do list - luff cloth and pressure pump.

As soon as those are done, I am thinking to head to La Corun~a in Spain. Current thinking is head there for the start of the round the world race, I've done translations for them and hope to be part of the crew helping get things ready there. Then East along the North coast of Spain, up the French coast, across to England, over to Cork Ireland then pull the boat out of the water for the winter and fly back to the states for the winter and visit family.

Then next spring fly back, and head north. I'd really love to sail the coasts of Scotland, the islands north of them and into the Norwegian coast and Swedish archipelago.

I've been looking at timing and Schengen and all that, so I think I'm skipping the Med in this leg. I may hit it on the way south from this northern route.

At least that's the thinking today, and hey, it's sailing with no specific destination so who knows what tomorrow will bring....

dj

 

[kappykaplan]

I'd really love to sail the coasts of Scotland,

I did that a couple of times when I was in the Personnel Exchange Program, on exchange with the Royal Navy. That was in 1989 and 1990 on Nicholson 55 sail training cutters, which were purpose-built for what used to be called the Whitbread Round-the-World race. Beautiful waters around Scotland!

 

[dLj]

I did that a couple of times when I was in the Personnel Exchange Program, on exchange with the Royal Navy. That was in 1989 and 1990 on Nicholson 55 sail training cutters, which were purpose-built for what used to be called the Whitbread Round-the-World race. Beautiful waters around Scotland!

Supposed to be stunningly beautiful. It's also off the "beaten path" adding to my personal preferences.

It is also out of Schengen adding to my ability to enjoy a spot for longer as may or may not happen.

dj

 

[kappykaplan]

some interesting deficiencies that have been addressed. One must be postponed until arriving to the main land but it's got a good temporary fix.

Would you share with the group what the engine deficiencies are?

 

[dLj]

Would you share with the group what the engine deficiencies are?

Sure. When I went to change the pre-filters, the amount of sludge present was astonishing. It was felt the entire filter system needed to be removed for a complete cleaning. In that process it was discovered that the filter bracket installation was not done with removal in mind. I had to drill access holes through a bulk head to gain access to the back side of the bolts to facilitate removal. The other option would have entailed removal of the entire plumbing system requiring coolant system draining and refilling along with a huge amount of plumbing removal and replacing. Four access holes seemed a much simpler method.

Upon removal, the starboard filter housing needed to be rebuilt. Easily done. I have two filters, a port and starboard filter that I can switch between as desired, or run through both filters.

Changing the secondary filter, a screw on type. It was discovered that it had been installed by a gorilla (see next surprise). We had to remove the entire filter bracket from the engine and use a long handled assist to get that filter removed to put a new one on... Good grief, what the heck ...

The next surprise, and a very irritating one indeed, was that the last mechanic that worked on my transmission broke the screw cap holding the dipstick. Now that one I know the name and face of the person who did that as there has only been one person that has touched that cap since I checked that oil some time back. It's amazing to me the obvious brutal nature required to have performed said act. Clearly it was not an "Oh, I didn't realize...".... Grrrrrrrr.... I know the mechanic that did both of these..."delights"....

So as I'll need to get that piece from a Yanmar dealer, the dealer here said better to get it from the mainland as here in the islands it's going to take a very long time to arrive. So I have the broken dip stick in a bag saved, and the hole has a wooden plug in it to keep the system contained and sealed.

The engine has been running flawlessly. But for reasons I can't explain, I felt upon arriving that the above systems needed a careful review. All fluids changed looked normal and well within normal use range. That's a very good thing.

dj

 

[kappykaplan]

I felt upon arriving that the above systems needed a careful review. All fluids changed looked normal and well within normal use range. That's a very good thing.

Tks for sharing.