Blue Heron
| Vessel Name: | Blue Heron |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Hallberg Rassy 43 |
| Hailing Port: | Delaware City, DE |
| Crew: | Bob & Eric Frantz |
| About: | Bob retired in January, 2011 from a career as an environmental attorney and manager, and Eric earned his Bachelor's Degree from The George Washington University in Washington, DC in December, 2010. They began their circumnavigation February 6, 2011. |
| Extra: | In the words of that great American author, Mark Twain, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” |
19 June 2012
The Blue Heron did it!
Today is the 500th day since we began our adventure around the world. We did it! We've completed our circumnavigation! We have not only crossed our wake but have passed the point from which we originally set sail on February 6, 2011. All that remains is to get us and the Blue Heron home. She has [...]
13 June 2012 | Fishing Bay Harbor Marina, Deltaville, VA
Waiting to get back on our way
We passed Little Creek Marina in Norfolk, VA during the middle of the night last night -- that's where our dream voyage began 16 months ago. We then made our way to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay where we were greeted with a howling hello in the form of 30+ knot winds on the nose. Making any headway was almost impossible so, we have diverted for safe harbor once more to wait for this weather system to pass. If anything, the North Atlantic lives up to it's reputation as being predictably unpredictable. Now, we wait (impatiently) for another weather window so that we can make our way home.
12 June 2012
Big Fish - take a look
Our steady progress and, generally, uneventful passage thusfar was punctuated with excitement yesterday afternoon when Eric called out, "I've got one!" He caught a White Marlin in the late afternoon. The fish fought hard and we had quite a time getting the fish on board. The fish measured 6'4" and [...]
09 June 2012
on our way north
This morning we left West Palm Beach at 8:15AM and are making our way north. We're hopeful that weather will be in our favor the entire final passage home -- we'll see. We've started with the benefit of both the gulf stream and favorable winds and are moving along at about 9 knots.
05 June 2012 | Cannonsport Marina, Palm Beach Shores, Florida
weather detour
We're stopping in Palm Beach for a day or so to wait out some weather due to come offshore from the Carolinas. Then we'll continue our northbound journey for home.
The Wild Coast- Updated
From Durban to Cape TownKnysna is a picturesque town near the southern tip of Africa. It sits on a lagoon that is protected by two rock heads that make for a bit of tricky entrance. Waiting for the right tide and wind are crucial to avoiding breaking waves that can cause the boat to broach and lose control.
From Durban to Cape TownAfter seeing a local boat head through, we went for it without a problem. Once through the heads, we made our way to the Knysna Yacht Club and a well-deserved lunch.
We've spent the last several days exploring the area and enjoying the scenery. Knysna is a thriving town with a busy waterfront area. It is noticeably different from Durban in that there isn't quite as much of a security presence. Many homes do not have electric fences lining their walls and some don't have walls at all. It makes it feel more like a neighborhood and less like a prison. Given its scenery, it's not surprising that Knysna is dotted with golf courses. We decided to go play 18 holes on a whim yesterday. Let's just say we got a lot of exercise.
From Durban to Cape TownWith another weather window opening up, we leave on this beautiful morning for Cape Town. On the way, we'll pass Cape Aghulas, leaving the Indian Ocean and entering the Atlantic.
From Durban to Cape Town
 |
 |
