The solo around the world yacht race and other sailing related items.
Angel Oak Elementary
Skippers log #12
23 54N 50 03W @ 22:00 GMT
My toe is well on the way to healing. It looks like we got to it in time. The day has passed slowly. I waited for one of our No Barriers schools to call, but the phone never rang today. I spent my morning writing to the rest of the NB schools, which took a while. When one sits at a flat desk and types, it is easy and quick, but when one has to balance a laptop on one's knees, hold onto the computer and brace one self, typing becomes a challenge. Such were the conditions this morning. I had to reduce the genoa by 2/5 in the squalls. In the squalls the winds got up to about 25knots, then once they passed, dropped down to 10-12 knots. So it was in genoa, then out, half an hour later, in again. I was tempted just to leave it furled, but then I would be wallowing in the swells going no where. The Profurl rollerfurler is great. It is so simple to handle the sail with, I don't know how in years gone by I got on without it. I used to do sail changes in those days, provided I had sails to change to. The Profurl has made my life aboard so much easier and safe as I do not have to leave the secure cockpit to do this. I am having trouble with my long range SSB radio. Religiously everyday I listen to a station called South Bound 2. Herb was once a solo sailor to. For 11 years he has provided the most accurate weather forecasts in the Atlantic. When at sea, I live by his prognosis. Unfortunately, I have not been able to consult with him on the radio as when I leave my radio on for any length of time, the transmitter shuts down. I have had this problem for years and the people who have looked at it can't find the problem. They have all advised to replace it as it is old. But money does not grow from my cross trees. For dinner I had GW soup. The only food on this boat worth eating is her food. The dried-add-water foods are giving me heartburn. They are so salty to my pallette. Ashore I never noticed them this salty, but now I do and find it hard to eat. Unfortunately this is four days a week of my diet. I have come to the conclusion that light weight foods are not worth it. I still have to carry the water, and these quick meals are fine now and again, but they do not give me a hunger for them like the GW meals. I am afraid she will have to fly to South Africa, rope in some helpers and prepare all my next leg meals. The one thing I look forward to each day is something wholesome and tasty to eat. There are enough discomforts out here, and food should not be one of them. It is bad enough that I have to go without my favourite icecream.
Dear Mrs. Sausser and Angel Oak Elementary I hope everything is going well at the University of Angel Oak, and that you are working hard. With the classes I met before leaving on this voyage, we spoke about the importance of reading and communications. Out here on the high seas, I am alone, but with technology have many people I can communicate with, including yourselves. Everyday I read for an hour or two. I would like to read more, but then I would not be sailing my boat. Also, I brought just enough books to get me through this leg, based on reading 70 pages a day. One of the books I brought with me is on the history of South Carolina. Someone at the school asked me about what it is like at night. Well last night was pitch black. But only for a short while till my eyes adjusted to the darkness. It is never totally black out here, even on the darkest nights like last night. I could see the stars which were not hidden by the clouds. Later the moon rose. It is nearly full moon. I looked for the polar star, but it was hidden by the clouds. What is the other name for this star, and what constellation is it a part of? You can e-mail me via Diane in my office at NoBarriers@compuserve.com Remember we spoke about actions and consequences. Everything in life we do has consequences, good or bad. You saw my boat during the refit. It looked a mess. My actions were to put a lot of time, effort and detailed planning into the refit the boat. The consequences are that I am sailing and that the systems on board are functioning correctly. Remember in your life there are consequences of what you do! Regards, Neal
Dear Coach Fallon and Sea Island No Barriers Students, Well gang, hard work pays off as you can see. It was a long winter getting this boat ready, but here we are, 1,800 miles E of America, heading for the equator. Another 2 weeks and I will be there. I have decided on certain directions I will follow to get to my destinations. These directions are influenced by the wind and wave tracks. It is important that every minute out here I keep the bow of my boat pointing to where I want to go. In class we spoke about setting short term, medium term and long term goals. Where I want the bow to go today is my short term goal, but it relates to my medium term and long term goals. It would not help me today to point towards America. You have to focus on your direction every day and position yourself today for the medium and long term. My medium term goal is Cape Town, my long term goal is Charleston. But this does not mean the end all. There are other pictures besides just this one, but this is the one I have chosen to focus on for the next 9 months. You know what your goals are. Keep your sails trimmed to maximize your speed to those destinations on your life long journey. I am looking forward to your phone calls on board. Thanks for your support. Regards, Neal
Dear Mrs. Lalone, Mrs Edwards and Garrett Academy Students, When I sit at the navigation station on my boat, I have an array of electronic devices which you have seen aboard during your fieldtrips. Many of the devices are computer driven. I have had to learn several pieces of software. I might be a sailor, but I have to wear many hats, which includes being janitor, cook, mechanic and comedian. Using the long range SSB radio, I can talk to the other boats. It is part of our safety net. The Comsat/Trimble system lets me send e-mail to you. The KVH phone will allow you to push button direct dial me on the boat via Comsat Satellites. To know where I am, I hit the on button for the GPS. All this is power dependant, so daily for 2 hours I run my engine, and every 4th day for 4 hours. I need to know collectively how many amps all my systems together draw in 24 hours. That is what I need to replace each day. But if my ability to generate sufficient power fails, then it is to basics, or else I am in severe trouble. Think of all the computers you have at school and how dependant on it you are. Should your calculator fail, well you use your basic math skills to solve the issue at hand. Never forget your basics. Build upon it. The basics is the foundation of your pyramid. If there is no strong foundation, the dream will crumble. I hope to hear from you on both the phone and the e-mail.
Regards, Neal