Arrival British Virgin Islands

We spotted land just after 6am this morning while motor sailing at 7.6 knots, by 10.46 we had arrived in Great Harbour Jost Van Dyke.

Our passage was 7 days and 23 hours, 1,170 rumb line, our route sailed was 1,377.  We had a maximum sustained wind of 20 knots, as a result  we used the engine for 79 hours. We had wind from every direction, frustrating current against us but experienced only 4 squalls and just one with a big wind shift. On the wildlife front we saw one white bird and a few flying fish, annoyingly in the cockpit on two occasions.

Askari was amazing and the only breakages was the water tank sender that got stuck (easy fix with a magnet) and the oil pressure gauge on the engine which was a bit disconcerting until Andrew realised it was just the sender playing up. 

This passage ended up being really straightforward and nicely boring, however we were really glad to have it behind us. Our last boat was in a really mean hurricane on this passage with her previous owners and they wrote a number of articles which I have read many times so that's what I had in my mind all the time. Andrew did a fantastic job of picking the weather window and managing our route as a result I think we've had a much more comfortable trip than many down to the Caribbean this year.

Arhhhhh calm water

A flag from Askari at Foxy's to celebrate our passage

Askari Position 23rd November 2018 UTC 1600

21 degrees 06 minutes north, 64 degrees 35 minutes west
sailing on a course of 200 degrees magnetic with wind of 11 knots from the south east, making 7 knots over the ground

Yesterday was mostly a cloudy day with light winds and we just motor sailed on a rhumb line towards the BVIs. It was a bit boring but that is good on an ocean passage, especially as we are now getting close enough to be able to plan our arrival. We really don't like motor sailing but sometimes it's just necessary - even though it makes Andrew a bit grumpy.

This morning was a spectacular sunrise over a clear sky just as the full moon set, the wind then gently filled in from the South East and we were able to start sailing again - oh joy! It felt like a such a gift and we both showered and spent some time on the aft-deck reading as Askari gently sailed us right towards our waypoint.

The only thing that spoilt this beautiful morning is rust - OMG I can't believe what a week of sailing into the wind with the foredeck being virtually being under salt water all the time has done to my stainless steel. All the staintion posts have leaked a rust around their base, the surrounding deck and even down the hull where the water runs off the boat at mid-ships. Anyone who knows our boat knows I might be a little obsessed with keeping the stainless shiney so seeing like this is just making me crazy. I can't bear to look at it and am hoping I can get it cleaned up before we pull into an anchorage. Ah these our my first world problems of the day.

We had good copy on most of the Backstreet Buccaneers last night on the SSB and everyone is now south enough to avoid a mid storm that is coming off the US East Coast so that was a relief. One of the yachts may have been enjoying a few wines for thanks giving..... We have loaded our fridge for arrival and will be ready to taste our first beer when we get in, hopefully Saturday afternoon. We have 163 miles to go.

Overnight Andrew spoke to a yacht who had run out of fuel and was sailing slowly - they didn't need any assistance but this made me glad Andrew is as obsessed with fuel management as I am about stainless.

All well on board.

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Askari Position 22 November 2018 1700 UTC

23 degrees 44 minutes north, 64 degrees 36 minutes west
motoring (yes motoring) south at just over 6 knots

So the engine has been on since yesterday mid afternoon. We sailed into a wind hole about 2.30pm and then conducted sea trials to work out the best angle for speed and comfort; we snaked around the ocean for about half an hour testing all different sail and motor configurations and the result was motor sail into the wind as close as possible - about 28 degrees apparent wind. The sea had calmed off and only occasionally sent a curly wave to slam into us and knock out our speed over the ground.

We had calculated that based on our VMG for yesterday afternoon we would be arriving in the BVIs on 22nd December - this confirmed it was time to put the engine on, even though it's actually pretty nice out here. Last night on the radio net we were discussing Christmas plans as many of the boats behind us are also without wind and are a bit worried about fuel supplies; we have used very little until yesterday so were in good shape. A couple of them had however been in for a swim it was so calm.

Our wind was about 6 knots and varied from 6 to 12 over night with a bit of a confused sea with weird currents and swells that would come and go. To keep things comfortable we had to keep adjusted our course a little now and again but mostly just got a good night's sleep. We both find the drone of the engine quite soothing. Today was supposed to be really light winds but its been around 10 knots from the SSE all day, we are expecting it to stay light and move around to the south east, which would be more comfortable for tonight. We should pick up wind for sailing tomorrow from the South East and then East.

When we set off south we left our little pack of three other yachts behind, although we think Moonlight Serenade is on the same track further east. We've picked up a new yacht just a little ahead of us on AIS - they called to wish us happy thanks giving this morning - of and get our latest weather info....

If we can keep this speed up we should arrive in the BVIs on Saturday late afternoon which would be pretty exciting. Bring on the Painkillers.

Happy Thanks Giving American friends out there x x

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Askari Position 21st November 2018 UTC 1700

25 degrees 49 minutes north, 65 degrees 41 minutes west
sailing on a course of 130 at 6.5 knots with a southerly wind of 12-15 knots and a bit of a confused sea

It's been a mixed bag over the last 24 hours, yesterday afternoon was lovely gentle sailing in about 10 knots of wind, sunny skies and we couldn't quite believe we were out in the Atlantic Ocean. For the first time we started talking of arrival and what we would do first when we get to the BVIs.

Lovely sunset

We carried on sailing into the night and it was lovely although we were on squall watch as we had heard a band was heading our way after midnight. The wind however died around 4 am and I put the engine on a motored on a more southerly course as that direction looked to be our challenge over the next few days. We started off motor sailing but then by 7am the sails were just flapping and squalls were around. Andrew furled the sails and we motored south for a bit and we both rested. A large squall washed the boat off and confused the sea then the wind gradually filled in from the south. We tried all sorts of options to get the boat moving but this sailing boat loves to sail more than anything; so a wind angle of 40 degrees close hauled and we were off. We are making about 5 knots of VMG (ie 5 miles an hour directly towards our waypoint) and it's super comfortable plus not using any diesel.

I'm just about to get lunch sorted - I made a lovely chicken and leek fritatta in the light conditions yesterday so leftovers today - yum!

Yum

All well on board, just going slow......

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Askari Position Report 20th November 2018 1500 UTC

27 degrees 42 minutes north, 68 degrees 00 minutes west
sailing at 7.5 knots with 15 knots of wind from the south west


Had the most amazing sailing overnight with a nearly full moon and the brightest shiniest stars I ever saw. Andrew did get hit with a flying fish in the cockpit which he wasn't best pleased about as they really are the most stinky fish in the world.

This morning I woke up about 6.30 to see a large squall approaching. Yay, my watch....

Squall approaching

The sky was amazing with these dramatic rain squalls against light blue of the morning. There was one beautiful feather cloud that looked just like a quill dipping into the ink well of the squall - I hope I got a good picture of that one. (Now added - cool Eh?)

Escapade just ahead of us

Escapade was about half a mile from us and so I grabbed my camera to try and grab some shots of them with the squall behind. As I put the camera away I noticed them furl their foresail - hmmm I'll just stick a turn on the jib. I was monitoring the squall line on the radar and we were still a way off. As I furled the sail the wind picked up so I double reefed that and just got to the main sail when it hit us with 25 knots - a double reefed main all done and we were hurtling into the squall at 8 knots. All good and Andrew is still sleeping (it turns out he was awake but pulled the sheet over his head - thanks mate!)


I radioed Sea Larks and they were already reefing, now I just had to wait for the rain. As usual the other side of the squall the wind died off for about 10 minutes and then we were back underway again. Now he gets up for a cup of coffee!

All very well on board.

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