Barracuda's Blog

The adventures of Kate and Graham and their OVNI 395

23 November 2023 | Bonny Scotland.
19 November 2023 | Hobart, Tasmania
18 November 2023 | Orford, Tasmania
17 November 2023 | Bichenot, Tasmania
15 November 2023 | Tasmania
15 November 2023 | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
13 November 2023 | Hobart, Tasmania,Australia
12 November 2023 | Cottage Point, NSW, Australia
11 November 2023 | Cottage Point, NSW, Australia
07 November 2023 | Sydney, Australia
07 November 2023 | Port Bundaberg Marina
31 October 2023 | Port Bundaberg Marina
25 October 2023 | Port Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
18 October 2023 | Noumea, New Caledonia
12 October 2023 | Ille des Pines, New Caledonia
12 October 2023 | Ille des Pines, New Caledonia
11 October 2023 | Ille des Pines, New Caledonia
09 October 2023 | Ille des Pines
09 October 2023 | Ille des Pines
09 October 2023 | Kuto Baie, Ille des Pines, NC.

54 miles to go to Arrecife

23 October 2017 | A bit north east of Lanzarote
Yesterday felt like we were in an offshore sailing groove. We ran downwind with a reefed / poled out genoa - pulling it in and letting it out as the wind allowed. It is a very safe and stable rig for running with, provided there is enough wind, so in fact this pattern continued all day and night. The large swell eased a bit and became more regular making for a more comfortable motion (nb: €'˜more comfortable'€ is not the same as '€˜comfortable'€™).

Otherwise a general day of eat, sail and sleep, and then the cycle repeats itself. The boys also did some push-ups on deck while the girls kept count. And there was some maintenance on the hoof as well. The WindPilot self steering needed some TLC which we did and it is feeling (and sounding) a lot happier. We a€™re seeing a few more ships now as we are nearing the Canary Islands. That is - we a€™re seeing them on AIS, if not in person, especially as a big swell makes it hard to see lights on the horizon. AIS is a technology that helps us see other boats around us and if they might come too close to us you can decide early on whether evasive action is needed. We often end up calling a ship on the radio to confirm who will pass in front of who. However, size does matter and they are usually bigger and faster than us. K got quite anxious about a light that looked like the masthead light of a sailing yacht, getting closer and closer. Turned out it was a planet rising.

We are starting to get tantalisingly close to the Canaries but it doesn't look as though we will arrive in time for tea. At the time of writing Kate is making fresh bread in preparation for some long awaited bacon butties (the first for K&G in 2 months) (they were delicious! - Ed) before we make the last push to Arrecife. The winds have eased and we are now broad reaching on under full mail and genoa.

At the time of this blog, 520 miles behind us and about 54 to go.
Comments
Vessel Name: Barracuda of Islay
Vessel Make/Model: OVNI 395
Crew: Graham and Kate
About: Learning as we go
Extra: One day at a time
Barracuda of Islay's Photos - Main
20 Photos
Created 10 January 2024
19 Photos
Created 10 January 2024
29 Photos
Created 8 January 2024
Some shots from our tour of Northland, North Island New Zealand - Dec 22.
37 Photos
Created 4 December 2022
41 Photos
Created 11 February 2021
29 Photos
Created 11 February 2021
Starting in the Chesapeake, down the ICW to the Bahamas and onto Puerto Rico and the Caribbean
24 Photos
Created 11 February 2021
Barracuda's trip from Scotland to Europe, the Canaries, and across the Atlantic to the Caribbean followed by a trip up to the Bahamas and on to the USA East coast.
26 Photos
Created 11 February 2021
81 Photos
Created 30 April 2016
60 Photos
Created 16 September 2015
a pre-retirement holiday
19 Photos
Created 21 June 2015
some shots from our lovely trip around the Aegean with Ailie
8 Photos
Created 16 January 2015
9 Photos
Created 19 July 2014
2 great weeks with Steve and Bibi Rainey.
11 Photos
Created 18 July 2014
A long weekend with Catherine and David.
4 Photos
Created 18 July 2014
4 Photos
Created 18 July 2014
14 Photos
Created 18 July 2014
Barracuda, K & G head south to a new home.
14 Photos
Created 18 July 2014
Barracuda does the Western Isles of Scotland.
12 Photos
Created 18 July 2014
Kate and Graham Chillin'
7 Photos
Created 18 July 2014

Previous | List | Random | Next