In Google Earth search for Marina Hotel at Shelter Bay, Colon, Panama. That will zoom in on the Marina where they will be for about the next 2 weeks, awaiting parts.
Archive for the ‘2014 Atlantic’ Category
Maranatha location Panama Canal, northern end
Posted in 2014 Atlantic, 2015 return cruise, Maintenance on March 27, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Christmas 2014 mid Atlantic
Posted in 2014 Atlantic on December 25, 2014| Leave a Comment »
CHRISTMAS DAY 2014. Becalmed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean (19 deg 44 N; 36 deg 50 W).
A time to remember, reflect and give thanks.
S.V. Maranatha Crew.
Skipper’s Update No 6 2014
Posted in 2014 Atlantic, 2014 Med on December 24, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Greetings Everyone,
We left the Canaries on the 13th December and had a good sail but VERY rolly for the first 1250 miles. We only did one sail change, gybed the jib and main from one tack to the other as we were sailing goose-winged (jib out one side and main out the other) all the time as the wind was almost directly behind us. Even though there was only 15-25 knots the sea was totally confused all the time and most uncomfortable. Yesterday (23rd) the wind died and we are now motoring but hope to get some breeze in the next 24 hours as we can’t motor all the way!! We will be half-way tomorrow.
The HF communications have not been very good so our Yotreps reports are not always on time and we have missed a couple.
All is well on board — Bruce’s cooking is going well despite the continuing rolling. We will celebrate Christmas — somehow.
Due to the fact that Pam has been on the move for the past couple of weeks — Glenn’s, Jolly’s, Tim’s, Michelle’s and also the fact that her address book is on board with me and I’m some distance from the nearest post office, there will be no Christmas cards from the Bailey’s this year. This doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate you — just that it is not possible. Consequently, please accept this e-mail as our Christmas cards and have a happy and holy Christmas. Hopefully we will be back in Australia next year and back to some semblance of normal (at least for the Bailey’s).
God bless,
Phil and Bruce.
Skipper’s Update No 5 2014
Posted in 2014 Atlantic, 2014 Med on December 13, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Greetings Everyone,
Well we made it to the Canaries (Lanzarote Island) last Sunday after five days of mixed weather.
Getting through the Gibraltar Straits, which everyone told us was a real problem with head winds, a strong counter current and short sharp seas turned out to be a dream run — no wind, three knots of current against us but almost flat seas. However, that night the wind got up on the nose and we had a couple of days of pretty rough sailing; then the wind died and we motored for a couple of days before sailing the last day with the wind on the quarter and four meter swells. It made for a very rolly day’s sail.
We have spent the week doing some maintenance on the boat, having a look around the capital, Arrecife and provisioning for the Atlantic crossing. The wind has swung around to the south east today and the visibility has really dropped due to the dust from the Sahara. Must be very good for the lungs!!
We leave tomorrow morning for Antigua in the Caribbean and hope to get there in about 24 days or so. It is just under 3000 nautical miles.
Been married 45 years tomorrow.
God bless,
Phil & Bruce
Skipper’s Update No 4 2014
Posted in 2014 Atlantic, 2014 Med on December 3, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Greetings Everyone,
Well we are away at last. After consulting innumerable weather pages on the internet and hours of discussions with other yacht skippers we ended up with two totally diametrically opposite forecasts for the first day of the trip to the Canaries. Finally decided to bite the bullet and go at 2.15 pm today (Tuesday).
The stay in Gibraltar was good. I think we saw just about everything to be seen including a week of wet lousy weather. We made some good friends the other yachties and hope to catch up with some of them further down the track. For now, we have about a five day trip to Lanzarote in the Canaries where we will top up our supplies before sailing for the Caribbean.
Would appreciate your prayers for the next few days especially regarding the weather.
God bless,
Phil and Bruce
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