Crossing the Atlantic from Cabo Verde to Barbados

And it did seem long in the beginning! But in the end, it was only further and more days travelling then what we did before. After arriving after 16 days and nights and 2059 nm in Barbados we didn’t feel any different than arriving after one or two nights. Luckily.

in the beginning it does seam long (but it did't bother us much) — in the beginning it does seem long (but it did’t bother us much)

Big waves and big respect

Well, we also have to say that apart from some nasty waves coming over and shaking us through we most probably had the perfect conditions to cross the atlantic. In the first few days we had around 5 to 7 beaufort, then the wind became less between 4 and 5 and most of the times the waves also calmed down a bit.

For the first time in the whole journey, we had the feeling that we have time – finally. There was always time to sleep for Reto and time to clean up the salt water coming over, to cook, to prepare the fish (more on that further down 😉 and also to read or to do nothing for me 😉

Sao Vincente island behind us, and a yacht that was quite a lot faster and didn't worry about the gusts that generally blow in the channel between Sao Vincente and Santo Antao... — Sao Vincente island behind us, and a yacht that was quite a lot faster and didn’t worry about the gusts that generally blow in the channel between Sao Vincente and Santo Antao…

the last land is fading away behind us - Santo Antao in the late afternoon of the first day — the last land is fading away behind us – Santo Antao in the late afternoon of the first day

and the waves are impressive, sometime right, left, under or over us... — and the waves are impressive, sometime right, left, under or over us…

and many times, when the sky looks good, it doesn't mean too many good things... — and many times, when the sky looks good, it doesn’t mean too many good things…

since in the hulls the waves are too noisy we alternately sleep on the sofa behind the salon table... — since in the hulls the waves are too noisy we alternately sleep on the sofa behind the salon table…

With the moon on our side

Most of the watches especially during the nights were just enjoyable and I always felt very grateful.

In the middle of the trip we had full moon, therefore we could enjoy the full program around full moon.

the clouds more and more become complex... — the clouds more and more become complex…

finally time to do some of the fitness programm that Thomas from the Fitness tower in Chur gave us on the way ;-) — finally time to do some of the fitness programm that Thomas from the Fitness tower in Chur gave us on the way 😉

freshly baked bread in the middle of the atlantic - absolutely awesome! — freshly baked bread in the middle of the atlantic – absolutely awesome!

something like half of the way - at least the same distance before and after us — something like half of the way – at least the same distance before and after us

When the moon was out, we had like a spot light on ourselves and the waves around us, when it wasn’t we could watch and enjoy the numerous stars.

Of course, sometimes we were also fighting with the sleep, for me then it always helps to wash the dishes or make some exercise or when the conditions allow it, to put the alarm clock and just sleep for the next 15 minutes…

Happy fishing

Now what about our fishing? Well, luckily I have written it down, because after 10 fish in 16 days I cannot remember any more details…

As a summary we caught (and got on board until the kitchen) 4 mahi mahi (some say dolphin fish) – the same that we already got on the way to Cabo Verde – but in addition we lost one just in front of the boat, then we lost another one who jumped onto the bathing platform and in that moment lost the hook and I was not able to get ahold of it and the most stupid thing was the one that we already had hit on the head and cut the throat, but then it was shaking so much and fell into the water… Then in addition we caught 4 “greater amber jacks”, but one of them we let free again because we found it was to little still.

and when they become bigger... — and when they become bigger…

I have to take the filets off on board -of course being secured well to the lifelines

and here is the successful bait, that we got from Hansl, Angela's father who also used to go fishing — and here is the successful bait, that we got from Hansl, Angela’s father who also used to go fishing

making the fish into eatable portions starts to become a routine... — making the fish into eatable portions starts to become a routine…

and another one... it satarts to get boring ;-) — and another one… it satarts to get boring 😉

Together with the 13 kg of potatoes ( thanks to Jim! who shared with us a large bag of potatoes ) we had the standard menu for most of the days fixed… at lunch we had potato salad and fish carpaccio and for dinner either boiled or pan potatoes and fish filets quickly fried in olive oil.

Some time in the second week I said “finally today we will have a nice omelette instead of always these fish carpaccio’s…” and we both had to laugh. We would never have thought to catch so much fish that we would prefer an omelette over it 😉

After one of the mahi mahi catches we had a huge dolphin family passing by, and during 15 minutes we only watched all these dolphin swimming back and forth, jumping and spinning around themselves and enjoying the waves like surfing. Once the dolphins were gone, we immediately had another bite by one of the small amber jacks – we almost felt stressed 😉

because when the fishing line is caught in one of these, it says game over and we have to cur the line.. — because when the fishing line is caught in one of these, it says game over and we have to cut the line..

Then the algae became more and more and when they started to come in patches, we knew it was time to take the fishing rod in. Once we had the line catch one of these larger patches of algae, and we had to cut the line, there was no chance of taking it in!

Squalls – the new challenge

Then in the 5 last night finally the so-called “squalls” (shower cells with heavy rain and strong wind) kept us busy. Since we could see them coming most of the times quite well on the radar screen, we could escape most of them, only very few went over us, but then we always had already stored away the sails. Like that the last nights became more and more busy and we in the consequence more and more tired…

we let the parasailor stand in the evening, most of the times we regret doing that... — we let the parasailor stand in the evening, most of the times we regret doing that…

... like in this case, when the first squalls are turning up... — … like in this case, when the first squalls are turning up…

and in addition to the squalls a cargo ship comes in between just on our course

Also from a technical side, we only had two small leaks, the stronger one through the screws of the bathing ladder – who would think that that is possible – but there were around 100 liters of salt water in the last compartment at the back of the engine room and it went over so the engine was with sea water…

our visitor bird in the last night arrived in the evening, took some sleep and of course used the bathroom on all three solar panels...and in the morning he was gone again — our visitor bird in the last night arrived in the evening, took some sleep and of course used the bathroom on all three solar panels…and in the morning he was gone again

Arrival in Barbados

the well earned arrival beer ;-) — the well earned arrival beer 😉

celebrating Reto's round bday, with the freshly baked cake — celebrating Reto’s round bday, with the freshly baked cake

and the dinghy cover project needs to be continued

first shopping in caribe! I am shoked by the prices being even higher than in Switzerland, so here you see the result of the first visit to the supermarket... — first shopping in caribe! I am shoked by the prices being even higher than in Switzerland, so here you see the result of the first visit to the supermarket…

little Britain with caribean flair - the small ben seems to even make the right melody — little Britain with caribean flair – the small ben seems to even make the right melody

In summary we are happy and grateful to have had such a safe passage and that we arrived well, all three of us (She San, Reto and myself ;-). Well the last challenge was to keep the boat from being damaged while clearing in at Bridgetown deep water harbor – the place is really not constructed for small yachts and Reto had to work hard on keeping her safely protected by 13 fenders and towed up with 6 ropes in the swell up and down and over and out.

Then after clearing in the anchor fell in Carlisle bay and we enjoyed the arrival beer like never before.

The next day we celebrated Reto’s birthday and started to explore Bridgetown. We will stay some more days and then most probably head on to Grenada, where we will meet with my family at the end of the month.

SHE SAN Sailing

Crossing the Atlantic – from Mindelo, Cabo Verde to Carlisle Bay, Barbados

Big waves and big respect

With the moon on our side

Happy fishing

Squalls – the new challenge

Arrival in Barbados

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