Gunvør XL

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30.9.2021

Today she left the water and will now stay on land until June next year. Good to know that Vector Marine will look after her as well as they did last winter. A few jobs need to be done. A small gel coat repair and we will free issue new batteries and a new inverter. It is going to be a long winter.

14.9.2021

So the show is over. Tomorrow we get hauled out at Canoe Cove. 2.5 month of meandering around the Salish Sea. Only ~ 645 nm, but seen so many superlativ places that it is hard to find ever more varied descrition. How do you improve on fantastic. We also managed to see many friends and family, despite our European friends not being able to come. Tomorrow we are then off on a 2 week whirlwind trip to Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec visiting 4 cabins and staying in 2 hotels. Looking forward to an extended trip next year. 2.5 month of great weather, stunning scenery, great social visits, incredible wildlife and nothing much has gone wrong on the boat except a few minor issues with the generator that we fixed easily.

9.9.2021

Slowly we are meandering back to Sidney. After anchoring in Tribune Bay (where we saw a stranded yacht being pulled off the beach at high water) and False Bay, we rejoined civilisation at Nanaimo. Stewart, who had helped moving GUNVØR last year and his wife TAS joined us for dinner on board. Timing Dobbs Narrows well we motored to our favourite anchorage in Montague Harbour. As the season is winding down the local pub already closed at 5 pm, so only able to get one beer. Still the weather is nice, but clearly fall is in the air with more clouds and rain than previously experienced.

3.8.2021 Provisioning and prep for the arrival of our next crew, Sheila’s brother Robert. He is an experienced camper and dinghy sailor, but this will be his first keelboat experience.

31.8.2021 Road Trip to Ucluelet and Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Beautiful weather and spectacular scenery. We stay on Cox Beach at the Long Beach Lodge.

29.8.2021

We took the rental car up to Mount Washington and had a great ~8 km hike along a mixture of board walks  and normal trails. A couple of Canada Jays came and ate bread and blue berries from our hands. Meandering down to Nanaimo we dropped them off at the airport. Thank you for being such super crew. Looking forward to seeing you again next time.

28.8.2021

An early morning start towards Comox. A couple of whales came by to wish our crew good bye on their last sailing day on GUNVØR. We found a good mooring spot at close to shore in the marina. The evening the traditional captain`’s dinner let us review a great 2 week cruise in the Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound. Some of the bushwacking during our many hikes was reviewed critically, but the scenery from on board was exceptional.

27.8.2021

Early morning start to Gorge Harbour on Cortes Island. A narrow entrance through a gorge into a natural harbour. The other boats were a bit down on their luck, but the resort was a delight. We enjoyed a drink at the bar and could then listen to live music from our boat.

26.8.2021

First weather day in Canada. 20+ knots of wind and rain. So we did the great heritage museum in Campbell River and got gas bottles filled. More card games at night.

25.8.2021

Motor slowly over to Campbell River in sun. Sheila has her Zoom call on the foredeck. After checking out the enirons, we have a drink at the Riptide Pub and play cards.

24.8.2021

Today we were taking on the Seymour narrows. Leaving Blind channel we left with the tide, rounding into Johnstone channel we had contrary tide until we reached our lunchtime anchor spot at Granite Bay on Quadra Island. Waiting our the right time to go the Narrows we hiked up to beautiful Newton lake.At 1600 hours we set off again and hit the Narrows exactly at slack time. The night we spent at anchor in Gowlland harbour.

23.8.2021

A great hike up the mountain followed by another good dinner.

22.8.2021

A different kind of beautiful black and white dolphins came to greet the birthday boy Karsten when we entered the Mayne channel going to Blind Channel resort to celebrate the day. The lack of shore power charging really irritated Karsten until he found the reason: The 30A shore had insufficient voltage. This was solved by plugging into the 50 A and we had enough power for running anything on board. The day ended with scrumptious Schnitzel at the German run lodge. Now Karsten is 63.

21.8.2021

We looked for the alleged abandoned homestead in Cameleon Harbour, but could not find it. Instead we played with Karsten’s new cross bow.

20.8.2021

Our wildlife day. First we were being aggressively shown on our way by a sea lion in Pritchards passage and checked out by a large number of bald eagles and yet more seals. Then we saw a school of salmon boil the water. Then chased by black dolphins. Apparently the ones chasing must have called their friends, because soon after we saw a whole wall of dolphins, at least 50 swimming and jumping at high speed towards where we had seen the fish. In the distance then 2 groups of Orcas. At anchor in solitude in Cameleon Harbour Kathie urgently called us on deck so we could see a black bear ambling along the shore looking for food. While we were having drinks we had a whole group of dolphins surround the boat.

19.8.2021

We sighted our first whales going towards one of the large inlets: Tuba inlet. Follwing the inlet we were surrounded by large mountains with snow and remnants of glaciers on top. An early start meant we got early to Tuba wilderness resort where immediately we had to hike up the mountain and along the beach for some hard  won (very hot and steep) view points. The evening ended with a typical drinking party with some other sailors.

18.8.2021

We spent 2 days in Prideaux Havenwhere the water was 21 °C. Apart from swimming and scrubbing the boat we did some dinghy rides. The highlight was to collect oysters, after Sheila had gotten a BC Fishery’s licence online. Baked oysters with an apricot vinigraitte was a delight.

16.8.2021

Our entrance into Desolation Sound was a bit anticlimatic with an overcast sky and rain in the air. After a few miles we found a beautiful anchorage in Squirrel Bay. After that a hike or rather a bushwack. There was supposed to be a trail and at either end we found the beginning, but then lost it. What followed was pure adventure. Up and down gorges, balancing over large fallen trees, fighting our way through thick ferns and underwood. Getting back to the dinghy and taking a ride to Squirrel Bay Lagoon was quite a relief.

15.8.2021

On our way. Early, with almost no wind we left RVYC. A nice SE breeze build up and allowed us to actually sail in 15-20 knotes most of the way. Our planned stop in Lund was not possible as all spots were taken, so with some trepidation we did our first anchoring with a stern tie ashore. Hopefully practice makes perfect!

14.8.2021

Kathie and Peter arrived with family. Also Andreas Trockenbrodt with his girlfriend and Sheila’s friend Marita joined us for very meaty (3 40 oz Tomahawk steaks) dinner at the yacht club restaurant. Needless to say we closed down the place!

13.8.2ß21

Again the RVYC put us to shame. We had been allowed to use their staff washer and dryer. After putting the first load in, we went provisioning for our planned 2 weeks in Desolation Sound. This took some time. When we came back, the staff had changed the loads for us and washed and dryed all our clothes. What an amazing club and what great staff they have.

12.8.2021

The RVYC continued to make us fell very welcome. The Commodore, Vice Commoodore, The Rear Commodore and Fleet captain in full uniform including spouses and some other sailors came to our cocktail party. It was very merry and additional drink supplies had constantly to be brought  up to the cockpit.

11.8.2021

Ian’s birthday brought beautiful sunshine. Arriving at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club we were received like royalty with presents, personal tours and all the rights the members enjoy. After a complicated car rental ordeal we went to see an 81 year old Argentine welder who repaired the generator rod. In the morning we had also managed to order an original part for next day delivery from Florida, so we are covered. Tonight we will celebrate Ian (and ourselves for solving our problems.)

10.11.2021

After a beautiful hike on Gambier Island, a nice swim off the boat and looking forward to a nice dinner, disaster struck. Suddenly the generator, Karsten’s favorite piece of equipment, stopped working. It turned out a rod controlling the fuel supply had broken. Atempts to repair it using what was available on board failed. A depressed night waking up regularly wondering what to do followed.

9.8.2021

We finally left the Island and had a lovely sail across the Salish Sea to Gambier Island. In the middle of a telephone conversation suddenly our first Canadian whale broached.

7.8.2ß21

Both back from out east. Sheila having had a great time with her girlfriends at a cabin on Lake Huron and Karsten on business in Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver.

3.8.2021

While Sheila continues having an incredibly wonderful time with her girlfriends, Karsten headed East for work in Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver.

1.8.2021

Sheila having left for Ontario for a week with her girlfriends allowed Karsten to go birding with a local super birder. 3 days and ~ 30 hours and 50km of hiking later he had seen ~ 100 birds, many new. Great weekend had by all.

29.7.2021

Coming to Nanaimo has been really nice. Getting a car, doing lots of errands we headed over to the Dinghy dock bar. There we met a young couple, he of Danish origin, who had been admiring our G XL all winter restoring their own 27 ft boat. Needless to say we bought them drinks. When it tunred out he was working for C-Span, a ship building company using Witt fans the love fest was complete.

2 7.7.2021

After a nice 10 km walk on Gabriola (we are not impressed with that island, too many weirdo’s and drop-outs), we had our first real sail. In 10 – 15 knots of wind we beat our way to Nanaimo. The boat perfromaened superly the whole way. Now we are tied up to the marina where she spent all of last summer. She will stay here for around 12 days this time, while Sheila visits her girlfriends in Ontario and I do some local birding before heading east for a number of business meetings.

26.7.2021

Sailing at a slow pace towards Gabriola island we noticed that a boat crossing our bow was taking pictures of us. Flattered, but also a bit puzzled. Soon after we got a picture in the Email. It turned out it was Stewart, who had helped Gary and Andreas to bring G XL to Canoe Bay for the winter who crossed our path. Quite the coincidence, so we immediately made a date for drinks when they are back in Nanaimo in a weeks time.

25.7.2021

Walked all over Thetis Island and got our 10 km worth of steps in. Seeing a Barred Owl became the highlight of a leisurely day.

24.7.2021

Sailing takes some patience. When entering the Thetis Island Marina just when the flood tide set in, following the directions of the marina staff, we promptly ran aground. Well we had our lunch and 20 minutes later were a float again and could tie up properly. Everywhere there is lots of room in the marinas since no US boats are allowed to cross the border. Very pleasant.

23.7.2021

Spent a delightful evening with Phil and Nancy, a Canadian/ US couple that had just bought a 55 ft racing sloop. He has raced semi professionally around the world all his life on some very wellknown boats. We bonded even more over dinner, especially since they really loved what we had done on G XL. Needless to say they gave up driving to their house and ended up spending the night on their boat despite it having no electricity since they had just removed the batteries.

22.7.2021

The next week or so we will have a favourable tide during the day when going towards Nanaimo. The next 2 days we will spend in Maple Bay. Some golf, some hiking and generally being lazy. Just replacing the o in the Montreal home harbour sticker-banner is the last item on our to do list.

21.7.2021

An intermediate day. Sheila worked hard and washed all the laundry. I had a nice game of golf before helping with shopping and refilling the gas bottle. With nice blazers we let the day end in a very good restaurant. The other big deal was that the „bad boy“ now also works with the Canadian SIM card. Took a couple of emails to the Croation supplier and I do still not understand the solution, but it works now. We have arrived in the 21st centurry! Watching „Making the Cut“ with Heidi Klum on a boat was really nice.

20.7.2021

A good day. Karsten found the problem why the motor was not charging the batteries. A fuse below the SB aft bunk was so corroded that the terminal fell away when touched. Also the sailmaker confirmed they can make a new torsion cable for the staysail in the next 1-2 weeks. Saying goodbye to Simon was sad. He had been a super crew and developed into a fine young man. Canadian Tire then provided us with most things we needed before a relaxing afternoon sale in the knowledge that the to do list is almost empty with only very minor tasks. Will stay one more day here in Sidney before slowly heading to Nanaimo.

19.07.2021

Sailing is always 2 steps ahead and 2 steps back. We made it safely back to Sidney. Replacing the Harken switches worked great. But the voltage regulator coming from Germany did not solve the alternator charging problem. Also it turns out the Canadian Sailmaker cannot shorten the torsion cord of the staysail and suggest I ask for a new one from Denmark. Yet another year gone!

18.7.2021

More fun family visits by Nancy and her family. With a good breeze we sailed with code 1 to Cowichan also called Cowbay. A challenging dock manouvre with strong wind off the dock and a small space was only posssible with the help of Simon and a local helper. Having Simon on board has been marvelous. Today we replaced one of the faulty displays. Probably a bit of water damage.

17.7.2021

After a luncheon stop we motored down to Otter Bay and tied up to a mooring bouy. Sheila’s cousin Nancy and her husband, who were visiting friends, came by for drinks. Having wifi then allowed us to watch a movie on Netflix afterwards.

16.7.2021

Today we made our way to Ladysmith, what a nice name. It is an old frontier town with some original „Western Style“ house with false fronts. In anticipation of Sheila’s nephew Simon coming we power shopped and ordered way too much Chinese takeout. Tomorrow we head out into the Gulf Islands again.

14.7.2021

We are back on Yellowbrick tracker. Yo u can see we made it to Galiano Island. A bit of drama with the Code 1 furling at the anchorage, but it got rolled up very nicely and all without shouting. Our first Canadian anchorage in the  fantastic natural Montague harbour. We will stay two nights before moving on. We intend to take it slowly this year with lots of bird walks.

13.7.2021

Good day in terms of having my tooth fixed, where a large filling had fallen out. But bad in terms of us having to say Good bye to the Aldi Tüte. Despite not really being used much, it had delaminated big time. Tomorrow we are finally offically out of isolation and are ready to leave.

12.7.2021

We have davits. But one step forward, two steps back. The Stayssail tortion rope is too long and needs to be shortened, the Harken winch switches are out of stock (damaged by the sun) and the voltage regulator will take 2 weeks to come from Germany. But the sun is shining and we can soon leave. The evning we spend with Karsten & Louise. He is the brother of my friend Eskil, who has lived on the island for many decades. A warm and cozy evening speaking lots of danish, eating good food and „forkæle“ Karsten with nice „lakrits“.

11.7.2021

A nice sail back to Sidney. The weather continues to be glorious. The usual issues surface of course: Small tear in Genoa 2, alternator not charging the battery and Harken electric switches for the winches heavily sun damaged. So we will sail, but mainly around here to come back for parts.

10.7.2021

Our first sail in Canada. The Alditüte pulled us along with over 7 knots to Ganges town on Salt Spring Island. A nice lunch, some quiet time, some swearing over a roller furling drum that did not want to sit properly and we were ready for a steak dinner.

9.7.2021

Two guys from Vector came and started installing the davits. As to be expected the stern was not 100% level, so they had to apply some epoxy. By Monday when it has cured we will finally have some davits. Gary and his family arrived and we had a lovely sail to Otter Bay, finishing off a lovely day with some scrumptious lobster.

8.7.2021

Unfortunately Vector Marine let me down, but promised to come tomorrow. Instead we went to Victoria and „did “ the city. Lot of beautiful houses and great views across the sound to the US/ Olympic mountains.

7.7.2021

Nice having friends of Sheila visit and an actual dinner in a restaurant. Was able with some help to figure out why the bowthruster did not work. The main fuse had been switched off, but I had forgotten it existed. Now almost all is working well.

5.7.2021

Today the rigger came. He replaced the sheave for the Code 1, tightened the intermediates and retaped the safety pins on the spreaders. A straightforward job, but well done.

4.7.2021

After 24 hours of quarantine we finally got our negative tests and could take the ferry to Vancouver Island. What a joy to see the boat again after 1.5 years. But work,work and work. Unfortunately some things do not work as desired. The bowthruster does not activate, one instrument is on the blink and the wine fridge is not cooling my beer! But it will all get fixed and we can head out after the obligatory 14 days of boat quarantine.

2.7..2021

We are aboard. After ~ 24 hours in a large, but not really very nice hotel room for quaranrtine, we finally received our negative tests. (Not surprising given that we`ve been vaccinated for more than 4 weeks with Astra & Biontech.)  A beautiful ferry ride and a taxi saw us at the car rental and soon at our boat. What a beautiful sight. A bit dirty, and bit grungy, but afloat and all systems seem to work! Tomorrow we will start cleaning and fixing her right. Fortunately we have a week of no plans. Strange feeling for me. Work emails will probably fill the rest of the time.

1.7.2021

BREAKING NEWS: We are in Vancouver and hopefully, Covid testing allowing it, will be on G XL tomorrow for 3 month!

31.5.2021

A large crate (2.2  x 1 x 1 m) is being shipped to Vancouver with bits and pieces to install. The major thing is a pair of removable davits for our dinghy to be hung from the back of the boat when we require it. Not very expensive equipment, but very bulky.

10.5.2021

After having received the first vaccination 3 weeks ago we remain hopeful that we can travel to Canada the 1st of July. To make life easier during the cruising of the Inside Passage we have ordered davits to be (removably) mounted on the stern of the boat. Very excited not having to haul the dinghy on deck all the time.

4.02.2021

It is done. We have booked tickets for the 1st of July to Vancouver. Hopefully we are allowed to go. WE really miss our boat.

25.12.2020

So this was our 2020 sailing season. Brutally cut short in February. At least we know she is being looked after quite well in Canoe Bay Marina. We have engaged a local company to winterize her. As usual they found a few things that needed fixing such as replacing the water intake valve for the motor. Canada Customs also did not forget us. Kindly they extended our VAT free stay at least until May 2021. We will need another extension, but remain hopeful that with a vaccination we will be allowed to go to Canada in July and do our sail to Alaska and back.

18.9.2020

Our friends Gary and Andreas picked her up in Nanaimo today at the crack of dawn. With smoke and fog dominating the weather they brought her to Canoe Bay, near Vancouver Island/ Victoria airport and there she is now on the hard for the winter. What a none season.

22.8.2020

So it is my birthday and I am in Hamburg and GUNVØR is in Nanaimo. At least Gary will visit and give her some TLC. We are organising that she will go on land at Canoe Cove in the next few weeks and be wrapped up for the winter. No sailing this year. We hope for better luck next year.

9.06.2020

There GUNVØR is, sitting all alone in Nanaimo. Fortunately both Simon, Shela’s nephew and our friend Gary and his family have been to visit to look after her. Lines had to be adjusted and the power needed to be reconnected. Getting parts to Canada is more difficult. A new Navionics SD card took ~2.5 month to get there! We are planning our summer in Sweden, but are verer ready to go to Canada. The big West Coast Canada trip is postponed to next year.

11.4.2020

Gary, Quinn and Andreas went to Nanaimo and were taken in a launch out to Star Laguna and could motor in almost wind still conditions to her berth at Nanaimo waterfront suites and marina.

7.4.2020

Star Laguna with G XL on board has now left Ensenada/ Mexico. ETA in Nanaimo/ Vancouver Island is 10th of April at 15:00 local time. There will be some wind on the nose, so maybe a little delay is likely.

31.3.2020

Please note that new pictures and log books for the whole Caribbean/ Panama/ Costa Rica trip are on-line.

 

23.3.2020

GUNVØR has now left Costa Rica on Star Laguna. Let us hope she will make it safely to Nanaimo in Canada.

18.3.2020

Our logbook Panama to Costa Rica has been posted

17.3.2020

The latest pick-up date is now 25.3 and ETA Nanaimo, Vancouver Island the 12.4.2020. Since we can’t travel to receive GXL, we have asked our friend Gary to be our pick up skipper. Hopefully the current Corona situation will be over in terms of travel ban in 3 – 4 months so we can still sail this summer, maybe into September as planned. Hope springs eternal.

3.3.2020

Now the trip through the Canal is also online.

3.3.2020

Logbook Colombia – Panama is online.

2.3.2020

First trip report St. Thomas – Costa Rica is under Logbook

27.2.2020

Customs declaration for Canada has been forwarded to the agent and a Vancouver Island yard for bottom paint has been found. The Canada shipment is getting more real every day.

15.2.2020

Seven Star has informed us that supposedly GXL will be picked up in Costa Rica the 17th of March. (The local harbour master will bring her alongside Laguna Star, the freighter taking her) and it is planned for arrival the 4th of April in Nanaimo, BC. Let us see what happens.

14.2.2020

Finally it was time to leave Central America. Skipper had added a further 22 birds with a bird guide in Costa Rica to his total list taking up the total of this trip (Virgin Islands, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica to ~170 new birds.) The trip in other words had been worth all the effort.

13.2.2020

We all enjoyed decompressing at a nice resort at Puerto Jimenez with spa treatments and good food.

12.2.2020

The crew continued to pull out all stops to finalize the shipping preparations and get everything ship shape. Skipper meanwhile could enjoy sitting in air-conditioned offices organizing the paperwork for the „exportation“ of the boat from Costa Rica. It is a natural law that the amount of paper work required is inversely proportional to the size of the country requiring it. In the early afternoon we were finally done and could take a ferry across the bay to Puerto Jimenez.

11.2.2020

The bay is very well protected, no wind, so working hard to get the boat ready to be shipped to Canada meant we were soaked within seconds in 30 – 35°C. A boozy reunion dinner was held when Mamelie also arrived after they had spent a few days at a luxury resort.

10.2.2020

With a small change in wind direction, the small waves loudly hit the stern of the boat, so at dawn we left the anchorage, motoring to Golfito, Costa Rica. After a little discussion we got our reserved slip at Banana Bay and could enjoy unlimited air conditioning at shore power and food not cooked by ourselves (although the quality on board was much better than in the restaurant.)

9.2.2020

Only a great wife with lots of spunk would have climbed up onto the broken-down and rusty dock at Puerto Armuelles which actually was condemned by the authorities. (See our ‚Photos‘.) But we had no choice since we had to clear out of Panama. The anchorage was completely exposed with a lee shore and lots of wind, so we anchored at Punta Burica at what looked like the open ocean, but well protected by a reef from the southerly swell.

8.2.2020

Klaus had both the best and worst day of his trip. He loved the restaurant/ bar on Boca Brava with its great views, slightly seedy interior, entertaining German owner and fresh breeze since it was high up on a hill overlooking the water. The email informing him that the mast on his boat had been damaged during winter storage, basically ruining his summer sailing plans, was not so amusing!

7.2.2020

It took 4 tries to find a good anchorage at Islas Secas. We met another yacht sailing in the area, which otherwise seems to be very much off the beaten track. It turned out they were from the Royal Yacht Club in Vancouver that our yacht club is twinned with. In exchange for some drinks we got a lot of good information about sailing on the coast of BC and a promise of a free dinner in Vancouver. A good deal!

6.2.2020

Skipper got up at the crack of dawn to bird watch on Isla Coiba. When he came back the crew was happy not to have joined, since skipper returned looking like he had been crawling through the mud in a sauna. This being a jungle the result with only one new bird was quite disappointing.

5.2.2020

Arrived in glorious sunshine  at Isla Coiba, surrounded by one of the most important marine national parks in the world. A steep park fee of 480 US$ was paid. Mamelie crew was very happy to use our shower.

4.2.2020

With wind and current helping us we sailed out of the Gulf of Panama. At Punta Mala we met up with Mamelie. The wind shadow of the large mountain range covering all of western Panama meant we had to motor through the night.

3.2.2020

Got the same Mercury motor as before, just without electrical starter. Skipper very happy. Set sail for Limon Bay, but anchorage too rough, so continued on to Isla Otoque. Anchoring and a swim in a calm bay, but with some stingers (sea lice?) in the water.

2.2.2020

Skipper did not want to risk sailing Western Panama or later the wild coast of BC with a motor you cannot trust. Sailed back to Panama to get a new outboard motor in a great close-hauled reach. Smoked the tuna we had caught the day before and (almost) did not set the dock on fire.

1.2.2020

Sam left us this morning for friends in Panama. We 6 crew prepared to sail to Isla Contadora, where the late Shah of Persia spent the last years of his life. Upon arrival we found out the outboard motor didn’t work, despite having been serviced in Germany before departure. So we paddled through the heavy surf for dinner and even managed to get back late in the evening without the dinghy getting swamped.

31.1.2020

Atfer a monster provisioning (6 people for 10 days) our crew Nicole and Alexander (friends from McKinsey) plus Beth and Klaus (friends from Hamburg) arrived. Imagine Nicole and Alex’s surprise to see Sam at the airport. They had not expected another ex-McKinsey on the boat.

28.1.2020

Back in the Pacific. Yesterday, after anchoring in the Gatun Lake we passed through the 3 locks and made it to Panama. Friend Sam from Montreal was our crew the whole way. 2 professional line handlers did all the work while we kicked back and enjoyed the scenery. Well, Sheila and Sam were kept busy cooking and serving three warm meals for two days to 6 crew (don’t forget the 2 line-handlers and the pilot !). On Saturday we then plan to sail to the Las Perlas.

27.1.2020

After waiting for the required 3 hours on anchor we had the pleasant surprise of having a female pilot. After a quick passage through the Gatun lock and a nice lasagna dinner we anchored just after the locks.

26.1.2020

The passage through the canal has been postponed by one day due to too little water in the Gatun lake. Irritating, but actually expected. We have some spare time for just such an event. Did an excursion instead and Karsten visited the San Lorenzo fort for now the third time.

25.1.2020

All systems go: Steve the rigger helped me find the faulty connection for the port side plotter, Bill the sail maker had improved the main sail and the bimini and Randal replaced our faulty freezer. Fortunately Karsten had been wise and not relied on the Panama supply of a new freezer but instead brought all the necessary parts from Europe.

24.1.2020

Back on GUNVOR with our friend Sam Altman from Montreal. She looks great. Had a boozy reunion with Mamelie who just arrived the same morning.

22.1.2020

Trying to get things fixed never stops. It turns out the complete freezer including the condenser was broken. The yard in Shelter Bay promised to order one since there wasn’t one in Panama. Better 2 than one, so Karsten organized one from X-Yachts which we will bring. So maybe we’ll have 2 when we arrive on Friday in Panama, but better than none. And according to Murphy’s Law this means it will never break again, because now we have a spare. Also the sail maker had to order a luff tape from North Sails in Denmark. It has arrived, now we hope it will get used to fix the main before we arrive.

5.1.2020

What a great marina is Shelter Bay. Not sooner had we arrived than various people from the yard there came to help us solve our various minor problems. A rigger reinserted the halyard, a mechanic started on the repair of the freezer and the sailmaker took away the mainsail and the bimini, on which we want some reinforcements done.

New Year’s was a low key affair at the nice restaurant in the marina. After that we headed for 3 days of birding in central Panama before flying home to Germany. We will return the 24th and have a Panama Canal transit date for the 26th of January.

30.12.2019

It is as if G XL knows the way to Shelter Bay. We are racing along at 9.5 – 10 knots eating up the miles. Should be in port mid-afternoon.

29.12.2019

A quiet day at lovely Hollande Cays. Snorkeling, reading and a little walking around the island. Ian fraternized with the crew of a small French cruise ship who had set up a beach camp for their guests. A lot of free rum punch was scored.

28.12.2019

Coming into anchorage at Chichime Cays we were greeted by the X-55 „Just do it“, whom we had last seen in Bequia 6 years ago. Drinks all around! Karsten could help them out because of course he had a spare autopilot motor which fit to their boat as well. But the Cay had completely changed. Lots of little bars and tons of garbage everywhere.

27.12.2019

Made it to Porvenir/ San Blas Islands. 300 nm of fair winds the whole way. The high humidity makes sailing around here challenging. We expect to check in today and then spend a few days at anchor at some islands, swimming and relaxing.

25.12.2019

Left Santa Marta at 10 am, waving goodbye to Annette and Andreas. Three of us: Karsten, Sheila & Ian on board. Beautiful conditions. Wind from NNE at 10 – 14 knots. Just now passing Barranquilla with full main and code 1 up. Easy sailing. Next stop is San Blas. Good forecast with gentle winds all the way from a good direction.

 

24.12.2019

Merry Christmas to you all. Sheila, with crew Annette and Andreas, picked up Ian at Cartagena and had a wonderful time seeing all the sights, meeting lots of girls (Ian that is) and driving back to Santa Marta. Karsten in the meantime was in the Sierra Nevada mountains being bitten by mosquitos, getting diarrhea , freezing when getting up at 4 am and having the time of his life seeing 80+ new birds. Christmas dance will be held at 4 pm today on the dock to our usual Swedish music (all are welcome) and we have booked a table downtown Santa Marta. Tomorrow we are off to San Blas.

20.12.2019

For 2 days we have now done odd jobs on the boat. The passage showed up the usual weaknesses that only tough weather will reveal. So we had to change the filter of the generator, replace the freshwater pump, are still waiting for a new compressor for the freezer, fix the  water level relay for the bilge pump etc. But drinks in Santa Marta were had every evening. So much life on the streets in this oldest European town in South America and you also see a lot of the unfortunate people from Venezuela that are desperate to make a little money selling goods on the street.

17.12.2019

It was a tough passage from St. Thomas to Santa Marta. The wind was between 20 – 30 knots all the time and the waves very erratic. Andreas, Sheila and Annette did not throw up, but did not feel too well most of the time. At least it was fast, 3 days and 10 hours for 690 nm. That is ok. Also nothing broke. Food-wise the meal plan was adhered to but low appetite all around. Losing a bit of weight is probably a good thing. This was the only real long passage this year. We have a 300 nm jaunt to San Blas, but a very good weather forecast.

14.12.20 19

We are off towards Santa Marta, Colombia.

13.12.2019

A very busy day. Around 9:30 she finally was off-loaded and we could motor to Crown Bay Marina. There we got to it with a vengeance: Put on foresail, mount bimini, test water maker and make 600 l of water, get shore power USA working (bad plug), set up back-stay antenna (and hurt Karsten’s ribs) etc. A local man did a good job in cleaning the whole boat (exterior!). Sheila and Annette in the meantime did the provisioning. Tomorrow we are off.

11.12.2019

At least she now has arrived.

 

11.12.2019

In 1 hour Statengracht with G XL on board will arrive here in St. Thomas, almost 1 month late. The shipping company has told us we will have to wait another 1.5 days before she will be unloaded because there are so many boats to unload. It is terrible!

27.11.2019

Having been able to follow the progress of G XL and the freighter Statengracht on our YB tracker across the Atlantic you can now again find them on Marine traffic as they have passed Newfoundland and are approaching Nova Scotia. The freighter seems to have slowed down to avoid some strong winds the next 24 hours. We still hope the revised schedule will hold. Keep your fingers crossed.

21.11.2019

Finally G XL is under way. The freighter left the UK for Baltimore this morning. Unfortunately they are so unprofessionally slow that the newest ETA in St. Thomas is the 15.12.2019, so almost 1 month late. A disaster. All friends have had to cancel their sailing with us before X-mas and we probably only will make Shelter Bay and will have to go through the Panama Canal at the end of January.

15.11.2019

An indifferent , overcast and cold morning saw us slowly motoring over to the freighter Statengracht. Jannik from Yachtinggate helped us with the loading. With a delay of about 3 hours we finally  got on board. The diver from Seven Stars had trouble getting the forward sling over the keel. Well onboard, GUNVOR was tied down with 14 straps and held upright by 8 arms on the cradle. Finally the cradle was welded to the deck.

14.11.2019

Finally we had a firm date for the shipping from Eemshaven. A professional skipper brought the boat from Delfzijl to Eemshaven. Sheila and Karsten then joined Jakob and his crew for dinner before spending the night on a cold boat. It took a while for her to warm up.

1.11.2019

On a grey day and uninspiring day we moved G XL from Emden to Delfzijl in preparation for being loaded from nearby Eemshaven. Unfortunately the shipping company is delaying the departure by almost 3 weeks throwing total chaos in our sailing plans in the Carribbean. 2 set of friends have had to cancel their sailing with us and we will most likely only be able to go through the Panama Canal after New Year.

But we had a smooth trip with Sheila, Ian and friend Thomas on board. In Delfzijl we encountered SY Cuillan. We last helped them in an emergency, 100 nm before Barbados in 1987. They had run out of tonic for their gin! Bartering tonic for Guinness we had a successful mid ocean transfer.

30.9.2019

A new story about our trip to Emden and pictures from getting ready this summer have been added.

26.9.2019

Had a great delivery trip to Emden. Thank you to crew Annette and Andreas T! We managed to get out of the Elbe on one tide averaging 10 knots under motor. Turning the corner as it got dark we could eat our lasagna in the cockpit and then set sails romping through the night on a beam reach. Repeatedly we had to reef in order to slow down. Just as the tide turned at 4 am we entered the Ems river and got carried down to Emden on the flood. Luckily the lock opened out of turn to let a customs boat and us into the main harbour. The local boat yard had a spot for us, as the main marina is out of bounds due to repair work of a bridge blocking the access until the spring. Ready to be loaded for the Caribbean.

24.9.2019

Tomorrow the big adventure starts again. We are sailing to Emden in preparation to be freighted to St. Thomas and then onto Colombia/Panama/Costa Rica/ Vancouver and Alaska!

10.9.2019

The excitement is mounting. Andreas x 2 are nearing the end of all their work preparing the boat. The new electronic gadgets have been installed, a second autopilot is working, the canvas maker is surprisingly also coming through plus lots of spares, medicine etc is being stowed away. On Sunday we are going to Glückstadt to haul out and have the bottom cleaned after 4 months of basically not moving. On the 26th of this month we are then going to Holland to be ready to be shipped to St. Thomas. Our „sister“ boat Mamelie who will do the next 12 month together with us in the Caribbean and Canada has already left with a: „Bye, we are now on our way to Alaska!“

2.6.2019

An uneventful trip back to Wedel. Thanks to our friendly neighbour Carsten we even made a good docking maneuver.

1.6.2019

Together with Ann and Klaus we sailed from Wedel to Baumwall. Joining Mamelie for dinner and drinks we enjoyed the activity in the harbour and talked to many of the Rotarians that have come to Hamburg for our AGM. 25,400 of them!

May 2019

In two days, unfortunately with a lot of motoring, we made it from Haderslev to Hamburg. There the 2 Andreases met up with us and we went through all the improvements, repairs and spare parts we will need. Already Andreas Tempel has made great inroads into the to-do list. There are no major things, G XL is in great shape but a lot of little items need some TLC.

8.5.2019

The season is about to start. On Friday we pick up GUNVØR and hope to bring her all the way to Hamburg. The plan is to get her ready during the summer and then she is off to St.Thomas by freighter in the fall.

10.10.2018

Under Miscellaneous/ Crew-Info you can find the latest plan for our South Seas trip. Password the usual.

26.8.2018

What an amazing South Sea kick-off (&birthday) party, see pictures. The sign up rate by the 160 guests for the cruise 2019 – 2022 was amazing. Might have to extend the trip by a couple of years. Thank you all for coming.

 

22.8.2018

Believe it or not, but skipper has managed to make it to 60. Hurray. On Saturday we will have the big „Back to the South Sea Cruise“ party. Captain’s dinner with dinner jacket, long dresses and lots of good food and drink. South Pacific here we come.