s/v Proximity

The Voyages and Adventures of "Your Rock and Roll Argonauts".

31 December 2019 | Emeryville Roadtrip
16 July 2017 | Wrangell Harbor
15 July 2017 | Petersburg, Alaska
12 July 2017 | Baronof Warmm Springs
10 July 2017 | Tenakee Inlet
08 July 2017 | Hoohah
07 July 2017 | Elfin Cove Dock
29 June 2017 | Yakutat City Dock
29 June 2017 | Yakutat City Dock
29 June 2017 | Yakutat City Dock
26 June 2017 | Gulf of Alaska, East of Kayak Island, West of Icy Bay
25 June 2017 | Gulf of Alaska
24 June 2017 | Seward, Alaska
21 June 2017 | Seward, Alaska
20 June 2017 | Seward, Alaska
22 April 2017 | Seward, Alaska
22 April 2017 | Passage to Kodiak
22 April 2017 | Chignik,, Alaska
22 April 2017 | Sand Point, Alaska

On the Move!

27 March 2012 | Auckland and back
Rod
Hi Everybody. A few changes since we last reported. After a road trip to Auckland, Jan was successful in locating a new engine control unit for Jenny. We got it in and working in very short order, so Jenny was now fine. Meanwhile, Proximity was also good to travel, but effectively still stuck while we had to wait for a package of charts for the upcoming season to arrive. Since Eli was scheduled to fly into Auckland, and Jenny needed some further work once there, Jan asked Elisabeth and I to help Jan sail Jenny to Auckland. How could we resist? Our boat was stuck, Jenny would be a treat to sail, Jan is a beloved friend, Jarl wanted to go off by himself fishing (remember his bucket list?) and to top it off, the Volvo Ocean Race fleet had just arrived, and were scheduled to do their Harbor race. If we traveled well, we just might get to watch.

Our first day was a beautiful sail down to Kauwau Island, just over half way. The wind was from the SE, so it was a spirited sail to windward. New Zealand has always provided us with upwind sailing, hasn’t it? But it was absolutely lovely, and we were flying along at about 7 to 8 knots. It was just about twilight when we got Jenny’s anchor down on the east corner of the anchorage at Kauwau. A traditional “anker dram” of Aquavit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akvavit), a nice dinner, and it was off to bed for a happy and tired crew.

The next morning, we were up early and set out for Auckland. It was cool and gray with a little more wind, sometimes in the low 30’s. We once had a local tell us that if it wasn’t blowing 30, it wasn’t worth going out. This, of course, was an exaggeration, but it does underscore that Kiwis know lots of wind, and partly explains why so many professional racing yachts have a high percentage of Kiwi crew. They are just at home in it.

We arrived at Auckland just in time for the Volvo Ocean Race start. The activity was amazing with course marshal boats, spectator boats, coast guard boats, television helicopters seemingly everywhere. Captain Jan tacked Jenny up and down along the windward course boundary. At one point, the television helicopter came down and quite close to us. Of course, we all waved. And the Volvo boats? Well, they were magnificent with their big colorful sail, sailing fast as if they were powerboats with big spray coming off their bows. Like Formula One on the water.

Eventually, the race was over and we took Jenny over to the marina for the night. As we were tying her up, the harbormaster reported to us “I just watched you on the television!” Fun. Indeed, it wasn’t too long before Jan received reports from Norway that he had been sighted. We spent some time that evening on the Auckland waterfront where a “race village” had been set up (I bought a Groupama, the French Team, t-shirt). I had chosen Groupama as my team to cheer, and I got the shirt for “only” $40 NZ. Jan had stopped by the Camper, New Zealand team tent and was stopped by the price. He decided that $90 NZ was too high for a t-shirt. But, hey, it WAS the home team, and the shirt DID have a collar!

After all of this fun, we bid good-bye to Jan and Jarl (the fishing had been good), and “Your Rock and Roll Argonauts” were soon back at home on Proximity. While we were away, a French boat, Jeandreé, had arrived and had tied next to us. They told us that the previous night, the wind in the marina had gotten up to 60 kts, and had squeezed our fenders up on to the dock so that they weren’t fending, and that they had pushed them down for us. After a hearty “Merci!” we were invited over for an aperitif and conversation – all in French. These two, Jean and Andreé have become friends with us having a few dinners and walks, trips to town, etc. together. It is especially cool in that Jean and Andreé do not speak any English, and we are all able to get along nicely in French. Studying pays off.

Our charts finally arrived this morning, so our plan is to head back out to the anchorage in the morning, and take the next weather window south. We still hope to get to Great Barrier, and Elisabeth wants to catch that legendary snapper that she has heard so much about. Yeah, mon, she says, and we will keep you posted.


Comments
Vessel Name: Proximity
Vessel Make/Model: Swan 41
Hailing Port: San Francisco
Crew: Rod Lambert, Elisabeth Lehmberg
About:
Who Are Rod and Elisabeth? We are Rod Lambert and Elisabeth Lehmberg. Elisabeth is from Bremerhaven, Germany, and Rod is from Monterey, California. In our youth we each had dreams of living on the water and sailing long distance. [...]
Extra: 2017 Update. From 2009 to Summer 2016, we sailed the South Pacific Ocean, visiting many many wonderful places and meeting incredible all along the way. Finally, it was time to do something a little different, so we headed North. North to Alaska. The dream continues. Welcome!
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