A wise friend once told us: “You never really own a boat, you are lucky enough to care for her for a period of her time”. Only now we came to realize how true this sentence is. From her beginnings as charter boat in the BVIs, being home for a family of four, to fulfillingContinue reading “A tribute to Porky”
Tag Archives: boatlife
Sailing back to the UK
After a week of waiting for a suitable weather window from the Azores to Northern Spain, we were slowly getting impatient. It was time to move on and we started feeling stuck in Ponta Delgada. Everyday we checked the weather forecasts and debated when would be a good time to leave. Unfortunately, the wind didContinue reading “Sailing back to the UK”
North Atlantic Crossing Part 3 – Beating upwind and landfall in Horta
Day 17 – Still beating upwind Porky is in racing mode! Despite her shoaldraft keel, which already came in handy in many shallow anchorages, river estuaries and reef passes, but when beating upwind creates more drift to leeward, we have been able to point high upwind for several days now. Yesterday, the waves were veryContinue reading “North Atlantic Crossing Part 3 – Beating upwind and landfall in Horta”
North Atlantic Crossing Part 2 – Hit by a storm
Day 9 – On the way again We also used the few hours at anchor in Bermuda to replace our spinnaker halyard in the mast, as the old one was shaved through. In addition, we were able to test our staysail with the dinghy on deck, as we might hoist it in the strong breezeContinue reading “North Atlantic Crossing Part 2 – Hit by a storm”
North Atlantic Crossing Part 1 – An unexpected stop in Bermuda
Departure Day Here we go, ready to cross the Atlantic Ocean! Last night‘s tropical depression passed west of us and we only got gusts up to 28 kts. Perfect to get some sound sleep without much healing or rocking before we embark on basically a sometimes smooth but sometimes thrilling roller coaster ride for 3-4Continue reading “North Atlantic Crossing Part 1 – An unexpected stop in Bermuda”
Grottos, pigs and white beaches in the Exumas
After 5 days at sea we made landfall in Bimini, only 45 miles East of Miami. The island is not particularly known for it‘s beauty, but offers a very protected anchorage for the Porky crew to catch up on sleep and to relax. After clearing in to the Bahamas and one night of very soundContinue reading “Grottos, pigs and white beaches in the Exumas”
Tacking upwind to the Bahamas
Departure Day End of April: it was finally time to sail to the Bahamas! All preparations were completed and we were officially cleared out of Mexico. Porky and crew were ready to hop on the golf stream, which hopefully brings us quickly and smoothly the 550 nautical miles to Bimini. We planned to be atContinue reading “Tacking upwind to the Bahamas”
Cenotes, tacos and friends in Mexico
This is it: our last stop in the Western Caribbean before we sail to the Bahamas. We just realized that we are theoretically on our way back to Europe as we have already reached the southern (in Panama) and westernmost point (in Guatemala) of this journey. Thinking about it generates mixed emotions in me. LifeContinue reading “Cenotes, tacos and friends in Mexico”
Running with the gulf stream to Mexico
I suddenly wake up and open my eyes. My dreams were deep and sound, as always at sea, but a loud smacking noise brought me back to the real world. I just lie in my bunk for a few moments and listen. All seems as usual. The water rushes past the hull, the wind howlsContinue reading “Running with the gulf stream to Mexico”
Belize’s pristine barrier reef and offshore atolls
Just looking at a map and photos, it becomes clear that Belize is highly attractive to visit by sailboat with its long, beautiful barrier reef along which many small cays line up and offer shelter for hundreds of secluded anchorages. Somehow entering Belize by boat has developed a bad reputation within the sailing community inContinue reading “Belize’s pristine barrier reef and offshore atolls”
Por Que No Sailing 