Martinique To Bonaire.

06.12.2013 at 00:40:

In Le Marin, Martinique I had the Vang seals changed and new gas put in it, as well as I could tick off a lot of pending items on my Ship Chandler list. I also received the parcel from Las Palmas with the new seals and hydraulic hoses for “Auto”. Not yet desided if I will change the seals as it is not easy, but will wait a while and see if Auto continue to work as well as it has done for the last 3.000 Nm.

In addition, both Rutger and Knut were great help and did a lot of the work on our long list of jobs to do. They have now serviced and greeced all the winches, which is a big job. Knut went up in the mast to check everything again and also did some work where the mainsail has been damaged, when we roll it in and out. Rutger is very innovative and good at finding solutions to different problems. I am very pleased with having them both on board and they are both excellent sailors, cooks and company. I feel we have a very good team now, which is important and that we still enjoy each others company after all this time. After all, Knut joined New Dawn on 04 October and will be on board for almost three months. Rutger joined 15 October and will, when he leave on 16 December, have spend two months sailing with us.

Yesterday morning I got up at 05:00 and we left Le Marin Bay at 06:30 and set sail for Bonaire, about 465 Nm to our west. We expect to cover the distance in a little over three days and should arrive Sunday 08 Dcember, which should fit reasonable well with Charlotte arriving Saturday evening. She plan to sail with us until 15-16 December, when both her and Rutger will fly from Cuaracao to Holland. Chris arrive Cuarcao Saturday 14 December and plan to sail along until end January. 

Today became an eventful day, to say the least. First, the front WC got blocked and the unblocking is a rather s... job was started and the problem solved before lunch.

Then, we put up the spinnaker and our speed increased nicely and we started to catch up on the Swiss Catemeran friends we had been speaking to for the last two days. They were running under a ParaSailor and made good speed.

Thirdly, we staretd to receive Squells and the Spinnaker had to be taken down as the wind increased to 21 kn and we received several showers. The weather f’cast for the coming 24 hours, is for more squalls.

Fourthly, we caught a Blue Marlin. It was about 150 cm long and 20 kg and is a very powerful, dangerous fish, especially if one gets in contact with its front head. It received almost a half bottle of Scotch Whisky, before it finally went still and Knut could cut it up. We estimate that we will have enough fish for nine meals and likely some to spare. This is the first Blue Marlin I have ever caught and it was quite exiting for all of us to get it on the deck, although it made quite a mess on the deck (see the photos below).

So that was our 6 December 2013.

07.12.2013:

As I write this, it is 03:40 and the sailing has been kind to us, with only a few Squalls. The wind is still from aft and average 14-21 kn, which is fine, but we get a fewwet Squells. I expect this weather will continue at least till we arrive in Bonaire, although it is likely that the wind will increase to 20-28 kn durinf this evening and Sunsay. Our speed is acceptable at about 6.5 kn, so the above-mentioned ETA still holds unless we hoist again the Spinnaker during the daylight.

08.12.2013:

We approach Bonaire during early morning and tried our best to avoid getting too close to the Venezuelan Islands, as they are infected by crimes and drug related traffic.

 A big Flying Fish enjoyed a free ride with New Dawn, but in a poor state.

 This is a Squall approaching and if there is rain in it, they are usually stronger and can carry winds in the excess of 40 kn. This one was kind to us and only gave us 22 kn wind, but also a free deck wash.....

 One just can't get tired of a beautiful sun raise at sea. Here is yet another one.