Across The Pond In A Small Cruiser

Across The Pond In A Small Cruiser
Across The Pond In A Small Cruiser

Video: Across The Pond In A Small Cruiser

Video: Across The Pond In A Small Cruiser
Video: Sailing SOLO ACROSS ATLANTIC on plywood dinghy sailboat / GoPro Hero 3+ 2024, March
Anonim
High swell on the Atlantic
High swell on the Atlantic

High swell on the Atlantic

They are living their dream: to sail across the ocean with the Shark 24. After their windy and fast transfer of the boat to the Canary Islands last July, André Kurreck and Tim Wolf (both 37) from Schwerin set off for the Caribbean last Sunday. "The Shark has held up surprisingly well over the four months that it has been waiting for us in Gracios," explains André Kurreck on the blog www.lebemeer.de. "Except on the lower ship, some algae have settled there. We have already tackled you with a cleaning sponge."

After seven days of stocking up and preparation, the duo brought their ship to the port of departure in Las Palmas on Gran Canari in mid-December. Shortly before Christmas the time had come: off to the Caribbean!

Kurreck (left) and Wolf provide provisions for their Shark
Kurreck (left) and Wolf provide provisions for their Shark

Kurreck (left) and Wolf provide provisions for their Shark

The first 200 nautical miles on the 2800 nautical miles to Barbados were also a windy debut for the two friends who had spent the past few months at home to work. Now, with the start of the Atlantic crossers season, they are continuing the journey they started last summer. After the long stay on land, it is not surprising that Kurreck and Wolf have to struggle with the waves, which can be up to 3.5 meters high. But the next day the seasickness gave way to the adventure of crossing the Atlantic in such a small ship. Especially when a lower shroud breaks, but can be repaired with on-board resources.

On the second day, the two report on an encounter with a freighter: "The ship we are aiming for is approaching us from astern, and Tim wakes me up," Kurreck writes on the blog. "We watch the situation a little longer, and then we get uncomfortable when the ship is heading straight for us. I grab the radio, give the position, name, course of our boat and ask if we are seen. We get an answer promptly with a counter question whether everything is okay with us? Then the ship visibly changes course and overtakes us on the port side. " A great experience. "I felt like a little puppy who was nudged by his mom to see if everything was okay," writes Kurreck.

Stock for 25 days at sea
Stock for 25 days at sea

Stock for 25 days at sea

The third day makes it necessary to correct the quick temporary arrangement of the repaired lower shell again. "Instead of the patch, we now have a replacement shroud made from Dyneema," writes Kurreck. "For that, Tim had to go into the mast, where he quickly lost his laughter in the swell."

Both are surprised by the rapid ride in the heavily loaded Shark. "In the first four days we always had five or six knots on the log," Kurreck explains to the YACHT in an email - and immediately improves: "On the GPS, I mean. We haven't had the log on yet. We actually only use the iPad for navigation. " True sailors of the 21st century - who, however, are out and about from a boat from the 1970s.

Final work before departure
Final work before departure

Final work before departure

"Our Etmal was always over 120 nautical miles, measured on the GPS, which I cannot understand at all with our load," Kurreck explains the progress of the journey. "The usually vicious Shark has a hard time getting her body out of the water. If she starts sliding, unfortunately only for a short moment." The immense additional weight can be clearly felt, although the crew has already limited itself. In addition to canned food, pasta, fruit and vegetables, there are only about 200 liters of liquid on board. "When there is little wind, the Parasailor helps us quite well in the pushes," writes Kurreck. "Otherwise it would be very boring sometimes." Therefore, the two athletes are already looking forward to the second part of the Atlantic crossing, the last thousand miles to Barbados. "Then we have less ballast on board and surf more often!"

The trip can be followed in the blog at www.lebemeer.de - or here on YACHT online.

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