Author Archives : Chris French

Getting in our workouts


Calculations were made, questions were asked, and the result was we needed water and the best place was from a drinking fountain just outside the ferry terminal. So early in the morning, with jerry cans in hand Carl and I headed to shore to start the process. It actually went smoothly and we received our arm work out carrying the…

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We made it!


Overnight, at times it was a bit loud and the boat rolled uncomfortably, but nothing like we had seen previously, maybe a 3 out of 5. On my 3:00am watch the wind was up to 18 knots, so off went the engine. Our speed was bouncing between 5.5 and 6.0 knots, which would be fine. Continuing my podcast listening I…

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Trending towards mellower conditions


After midnight conditions improved to what I would call “moderate” (probably a 3 on John’s scale). My second break to sleep was not great but I did manage a few hours with an interruption in the middle to help Carl drop the main sail due to lack of wind. With arrival assured, I took to clearing out the freezers of…

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The bull keeps bucking


The night continued to be a rough one, thankfully things mellowed a bit and by sunrise the violent waves banging the bridgedeck were starting to diminish. Our speed increased too and the arrival into Brisbane was looking like it was on track to beat the southerlies. On my morning inspection we were up to 6mm (0.25″) of salt caked on…

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Here we go, Riding the bull day 1


A bit after sunrise the winds started to creep up, once Carl came up we immediately raised the sails. The wind gave us a knot of extra speed over the engine bringing us to 6.5 to 6.7 knots. A much appreciated speed bump. For another hour things were pretty chill. The wind started to creep up and with it, an…

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The one that got away…


Very little wind overnight and currents against us ensured the past 24 hours would NOT be a record day. Blerg. After the sun came up, I let the fishing line out and with it, hopes for tuna for dinner. After our daily coffee, weather check, and reading the news, Carl noticed a fish skimming the surface being chased by something.…

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