Sojourn I Sailing

Vessel Name: SOJOURN I
Vessel Make/Model: Outremer 45
Hailing Port: SYDNEY
Crew: Sue and Bruce
20 June 2019
20 June 2019
19 June 2019
08 April 2019 | Jamaica
14 March 2019
27 February 2019 | Bonaire and Curacao
14 August 2018 | Grenada
10 August 2018 | Frigate Is and Tobago Keys
29 July 2018 | Bequia
29 July 2018 | St Lucia
29 July 2018 | Martinique
15 May 2018
24 April 2018
24 April 2018
25 November 2017
03 November 2017
17 October 2017
17 October 2017
17 October 2017
Recent Blog Posts
20 June 2019

Panama Canal

Shelter Bay marina was an enjoyable stay providing us the opportunity to visit Colon and also get Sojourn 1 ready for the canal. From the start we were impressed with how well organised the process of preparing and booking for the canal was. Onno joined us from Curacao to be part of the crew for the [...]

20 June 2019

Panama Canal

Shelter Bay marina was an enjoyable stay providing us the opportunity to visit Colon and also get Sojourn 1 ready for the canal. From the start we were impressed with how well organised the process of preparing and booking for the canal was. Onno joined us from Curacao to be part of the crew for the [...]

19 June 2019

Heading to Panama

Our original plan had us going from Jamaica to Cuba. But as we were enjoying our time in Jamaica and we had received a few recent bad report on Cuba we decided to stay longer in Jamaica and miss out Cuba. When it was time book out of Jamaica I explained to the immigration officer that we had spent longer [...]

08 April 2019 | Jamaica

Jamaica mon

With Sue back in Curacao we provisioned for the sail north to Jamaica, said goodbye to new friends, and motored away from Curacao Marine. As we entered to channel to exit Curacao harbour we called the Port Authority on VHF to ask them to open the bridge, but no answer. After a number of failed attempts [...]

14 March 2019

Back in the water

I arrived back in Curacao on 24 Jan to get work done on Sojourn 1 before Sue arrived. I was surprised by the number of people who were staying at the marina on their boats. Most were waiting for the weather to improve with others waiting on work or parts. A large number of different nationalities were [...]

27 February 2019 | Bonaire and Curacao

Haul out at Curacao

Time to catch up on the blog. A lot has happened since the last blog but I'll try to cover off on the important points of our cruising adventure.

Panama Canal

20 June 2019
Bruce Borchardt
Shelter Bay marina was an enjoyable stay providing us the opportunity to visit Colon and also get Sojourn 1 ready for the canal. From the start we were impressed with how well organised the process of preparing and booking for the canal was. Onno joined us from Curacao to be part of the crew for the canal and the Pacific.
As part of the preparation for the canal we needed to find 2 line handlers to join Sue and Onno giving the 4 required line handlers. Two young guys (1 German and 1 Aust) from the marina were offering this service, I accepted.
On the day of the canal crossing we heading to the anchorage as required and checked in by radio. It was obvious they knew who was there and who was late. After, what appeared to be, the normal delays the advisor joined us and pointed us in the right direction. The entire canal crossing was interesting a very positive experience. I can understand why people visit Panama just to have the experience of crossing the canal. The two young line handlers were very good and saved Sue and Onno from any of the heavy work.

For the first 3 locks up to the lake we were rafted up with 1 catamaran and 1 monohull. We then moored on the lake overnight waiting for the new advisor to join us in the morning for the locks back down to the Pacific Ocean. For this leg we rafted up with the same catamaran. After the advisor had been picked up after completing the canal crossing we took a mooring at Balboa Each Club. The canal crossing was a big undertaking in its own right but now we had to prepare for the Pacific Ocean passage. This included the arrival of Al, our other crew, and Sue's departure for Australia.

Panama Canal

20 June 2019
Bruce Borchardt
Shelter Bay marina was an enjoyable stay providing us the opportunity to visit Colon and also get Sojourn 1 ready for the canal. From the start we were impressed with how well organised the process of preparing and booking for the canal was. Onno joined us from Curacao to be part of the crew for the canal and the Pacific.
As part of the preparation for the canal we needed to find 2 line handlers to join Sue and Onno giving the 4 required line handlers. Two young guys (1 German and 1 Aust) from the marina were offering this service, I accepted.
On the day of the canal crossing we heading to the anchorage as required and checked in by radio. It was obvious they knew who was there and who was late. After, what appeared to be, the normal delays the advisor joined us and pointed us in the right direction. The entire canal crossing was interesting a very positive experience. I can understand why people visit Panama just to have the experience of crossing the canal. The two young line handlers were very good and saved Sue and Onno from any of the heavy work.

For the first 3 locks up to the lake we were rafted up with 1 catamaran and 1 monohull. We then moored on the lake overnight waiting for the new advisor to join us in the morning for the locks back down to the Pacific Ocean. For this leg we rafted up with the same catamaran. After the advisor had been picked up after completing the canal crossing we took a mooring at Balboa Each Club. The canal crossing was a big undertaking in its own right but now we had to prepare for the Pacific Ocean passage. This included the arrival of Al, our other crew, and Sue's departure for Australia.

Heading to Panama

19 June 2019
Bruce Borchardt
Our original plan had us going from Jamaica to Cuba. But as we were enjoying our time in Jamaica and we had received a few recent bad report on Cuba we decided to stay longer in Jamaica and miss out Cuba. When it was time book out of Jamaica I explained to the immigration officer that we had spent longer in his country than originally planned, he was not concerned and happy said, "you got the Jamaican fever mon". A place of have's and have not's, very friendly people, very relaxed and proud culture, and a very high murder rate.
We a weather forecasting perspective we have heard good reports on Chris Parker so thought we would give him a try for the passage from Jamaica to Panama. We normally use predict Wind but the models were providing very different forecast for the proposed passage. In hindsight, maybe it was just a difficult passage to forecast.
On leaving Jamaica we were run over by a number of squalls on the first day and this remained the trend for the rest of the passage. This added a level of difficulty when we were nearing the Panama and starting to mix with the big ships coming and going from the canal. Approaching and entering the breakwater at night, while raining, in strong winds, and with large ships everywhere was a little stressful. As was trying to tie up at the marina a 2am in the strong winds. All ended well thanks to a security man who assisted. I had previously booked a berth at the marina but it we unclear if there would be anyone there to assist. We were very happy to be tied up and able to get some sleep.

Jamaica mon

08 April 2019 | Jamaica
Bruce Borchardt
With Sue back in Curacao we provisioned for the sail north to Jamaica, said goodbye to new friends, and motored away from Curacao Marine. As we entered to channel to exit Curacao harbour we called the Port Authority on VHF to ask them to open the bridge, but no answer. After a number of failed attempts to contact them we tied up side too near the customs wharf. After Sue phoned Garth from Curacao Marine we eventually talked to the Port Authority and the bridge was opened. Once clear of the channel we raised sails and headed for Jamaica.
We took one reef at first but followed with another as we rounder the western end of Curacao. The first night was a bit tough as the sea state was up and I felt less than 100%. The next morning was much better as my sea legs had improved and the wind had dropped a few kns.
Being our first sail in months we took it easy and still made reasonable time. We did not see any other sails and only a few ships on AIS. As we were going to reach Jamaica during the night was slowed Sojourn 1 down to ensure we would arrive at first light. We had previously contacted the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club and booked a spot. On arrival at the club they explained that the boat that was meant to have vacated the berth was still there but they had another spot for us. A little narrow pier with interesting access. Turned out we had great neighbours (a common theme) and the club were very accommodating and friendly (not cheap).
While in Jamaica we had the life raft serviced (not cheap). They went far beyond my expectations including pickup and deliver and spending hours improving the release mechanism.

Back in the water

14 March 2019
Bruce Borchardt
I arrived back in Curacao on 24 Jan to get work done on Sojourn 1 before Sue arrived. I was surprised by the number of people who were staying at the marina on their boats. Most were waiting for the weather to improve with others waiting on work or parts. A large number of different nationalities were represented and I think I was only one that could not speak more than one language. A very social group with BBQ's, movies, and a few beers enjoyed.
Sue ended up being delayed in Australia so I had to spread the jobs out to give me something to do. Its given me the opportunity to spend time and look around Curacao, including Carnival. We plan to head to Jamaica and Cuba a few days after Sue arrives, weather permitting (as usual).

Haul out at Curacao

27 February 2019 | Bonaire and Curacao
Bruce Borchardt
Time to catch up on the blog. A lot has happened since the last blog but I'll try to cover off on the important points of our cruising adventure.
We sailed from Granada to Bonaire with Rootsie, a very similar boat, arriving in the early hours of the morning. Once the marina staff arrived we checked into the marina and they found us a berth for a few days. After the normal immigration and customs procedures we started to settle into Bonaire. Didier and Veronique from Rootsie were great company as we did the tourist things on Bonaire for the next few days. We worked out how to go about getting one of the sought after moorings in front of the town. When visiting Bonaire by boat you only have the choice of the marina or mooring buoys, you are not permitted to anchor. Bonaire is a beautiful place, particularly for snorkelling and diving. The moorings in front of the town are particularly nice once you get used to the nightly drag races on the road fronting the beach.
We continued with Rootsie onto Curacao dropping anchor at Spanish Waters initially. As Didier and Veronique were heading back to France within a few days we helped them take Rootsie from Spanish Waters to Curacao Marine. They appreciated the assistance and we appreciated the opportunity to see how the see how the haul out process and the bridge opening worked before it was our turn. I gave Didier a hand to service the motors, etc over the next few days before saying goodbye to them. Sojourn 1 wasn't being hauled out for a number of days so Sue and I used the time meet some of the other cruisers in Spanish Waters and get to now Willemstad a little better. When the time came Sojourn1's haul out went smoothly - it can be a stressful time.
Curacao shares the dry climate with Bonaire but is a larger industrialised centre. Bonaire sets a high standard when it comes to beautiful places to visit.
We settled Sojourn 1 for the stay on the hard and said our farewells to the friends we had made at the marina before heading to Australia via Miami, Chicago, Tokyo (for a 10 day stop over), and Sydney.
SOJOURN I's Photos - Sicily 2016
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