Brian Blue Bear 2012

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Rodrigos Mauritius Planned as a possible "bolt Hole" on the long passage to south Africa an uninterrupted 6000 mile journey was a tall order but one I thought I could complete but my Baby stay snapped while under full sail Goosewinged light to moderate breeze Strange think to happen really since the Mast is being pushed forward and the Baby stay is forward of the mast...... We were at this time already making good headway around 350 miles south west of Cocos Keeling so we would have to go onward back would be against Trade winds and Current into a considerably lumpy sea.... onward 1000's of miles to Reunion was not going to be a problem we can sail without a baby stay?? But South Africa now would be Madness Waves described as abnormal due to a proceeding trough have a tendency to reach 20 Metres in hight. Kept the Sails Short but still had good speeds 5 knots or more, then Calm weather very light winds smooth seas so chance a little more sail, well full sail really the wind backed slowly and winds increased we were now on a beam reach the a bang and the Port hand Lower shroud snapped the mast swung violently port and starboard as Sue Took in the Genoa and I the Mainsail It was swinging so much the foot of the mast was bouncing around on the footplate I had to secure this before we loose it... we would not have enough Fuel to take us to safety still several 1000"s of miles away I was able to tie a rope as high as possible up the mast to secure it taking much of the Play out of the mast which enabled me to climb further uo the mast to fix another stay using spare rigging finally since the Steel shroud had broken at the foot I was able to use that with a few pulleys and rope to retention the mast.......


With so many ropes around the mast I was unable to raise the mainsail so I continued a few days with just the Genoa but Progress was very slow so a few tweeks to the new Temporary rigging I set up a fully reefed Main now only a little over 1000 miles to reunion 800 to Mauritius hopefully I could get a repair there,,,, Although we had things under control we were in a very dodgy spot two wires broke which calls into question all of the stays, they took quite a battering recently but showed no signs of stretch and the mast really beat the remainig stays when the Shroud snapped 1 more breaks and the result could be desaster but we have sailed into range of our ability to motor..... all the rope I had spare we used to secure the mast and still with fully reefed sails and a smal stay sail



we still made average speeds of 4.5 knots sometimes reaching a scary 6 Knots the mainsail was set in a way that I would have to take some securing ropes off to lower it........ when the wind increased extreme anxiety Bolt Cutters Machete Sharpened Hammer spanners torches all at the ready to cut the mast free but as we wiped off the miles confidence grew......... And here we are!!!! Mauritius and what a lovely Place first night here a festival in the middle of the Island we got DRUNK!!!! very drunk

Wouldn't it be Boring if there wasn't a little excitement now and again


more about this place as we learn it

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Oct 28, 2012 11:59:59 GMT allan said:

Brian, where are you now? If you need anything sent out just ask.
Allan

Thanks Allan may have to take you up on that,, Making some repairs here at Rodrigues they have a good back street Mechanic with a few Handy tools a Chinese hardware store with the usual inferior crap but It will give us a better stronger repair to get to reunion.. here will be very difficult for shipping My Boat is Moored on the Main Commercial wharf a ship left two days ago so they say It will be quite a while before another one arrives and I really want to get out of this area Quickly the locals say Cyclones hit here even in this month but there is a lagoon that is nearby that I can get into if one is due hopefully the trip to Reunion will be Cyclone free then Ill renew my rigging for the Scary Cape of good hope...

[allan]

I hope your hangovers are not too bad. I just looked up Rodrigues Mauritius on Google earth. Looks like a wonderful little island. Sorry to say I found football pitch, up near an inlet, but no rugby pitch.
Allan

[sheila]

I have to admit that I had to get the atlas out to look up Mauritius!

Surely Brian, the Cape can't be any more scary than the situations you have endured so far?

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Island is great people better all Football mad they know more about Cardiff city than I do AND! don't mention Man U and Ryan Giggs they want to wrap their arms around you and Buy you beers all Night still homeward Bound Reunion Next.... Sorry Sheila wouldn't tempt Fate 20 metre waves of an abnormal shape is a little worrying BUT we can do it once the boat is up to scratch as you say we have been through some pretty heavy seas technically waves can reach 36 metres so they say....


Anyway onto Reunion leaving tonight ....... Island life is Great but it's Island life remember the advert with the bicycle behind a bus saying total gridlock RODRIGUES no Capitalism evident here

[vikingsmb]

Blue Bear, keep the trip reports coming, how did your shroud break by the way?

[rose]

Hi Bri, know what you mean about the friendly people,I stayed up at Grande bay on the NE of the island in 2009 and one of the guys in the harbour there had a season with Swansea city as goalkeeper, he said he didnt like the winters in Wales so he quit, but he knew all about Wales and loved the people and the pubs.

Nice country to be holed up in. Mauritius that is,mind you Wales is ok as well.

Chris
Bilbo 11

[sheila]

I think you are no longer in the area Brian, but this came to me via email today. Makes interesting reading if nothing else!

www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/Sailingyachtsstillvulnerabletopirateattack.aspx?utm_source=CruisingNews&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=nov12-cruising

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Reunion Reached Pointe des Galets North west of the Island after a rather stormy last two days was unable to enter my first port of Call Saint Pierre although I did make an attempt only two be to deterred by surf Malibu Surfers would be proud to Surf Blue bear is an Amazing Boat taking us through two Breakers in excess of its 10 Metre length in Reverse.... Will explain more in the next few days....... seems Cyclones are more evident here than has been suggested in most Circle,s.

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Oct 30, 2012 19:03:58 GMT vikingsmb said:

Blue Bear, keep the trip reports coming, how did your shroud break by the way?

I can give my opinion on why the shrouds failed but it is only my opinion Except of course for the Poor Manufacture this is commonly Known and is mentioned also in a Boat maintenance book along with the "best" methods The name of which I do not have at the moment The Baby stay seems to be Poorly Manufactured the Swaged fitting is curved which I have been told is caused by forming the Joint passing it through the dies several times quite easy to spot the port hand Shroud probably Failed for an Accumulation of reasons firstly the Baby stay is part of a three support system "tripod" when that snapped the mast moved on the foot, when I set full sail the pressure was greater on the lower shrouds AND Tropical weather causes the Stainless steel to Deteriorate "rust" if there is not enough Circulation of the Air around it.... Mine were covered Quite tightly There is usually a Pre-warning a few strands break at a time easy to spot if your looking!! I Think the Covers hid the initial strands snapping on the Port Hand Shroud the Baby Stay showed signs of breaking a few hours before the final Failure luckily the winds were light at the time of both incidents

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Seems that we have fallen in amongst quite a few Cruising Sailors with Similar plans one deviation being Madagascar western side the rest South Africa all with similar Concerns, but there has been a Marked improvement on the weather front there so I am told will watch for the next few days Great mix of People andaSailors bar in which to Formulate major stratagies.

[spidercrab]

Thanks for keeping us updated. Each entry needs a quick search on Google Earth to find out exactly where you are and then the length of the last leg of the journey becomes apparent. Good news that the rigging repairs held up.

Take care.

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Three lower shrouds made ready to fit rigger will replace them 8am tomorrow and then check the upper shrouds and re-alighn the mast will leave in the next 2 or three days fed up of watching other boats leaving but I will catch and pass them by Port Elizabeth all these yachts along with myself too tight to pay 15 Euros P/N first 3 nights are free though great boat services here all repairs can be undertaken here with an Excellent sailmaker Rigger and Mechanic well sheltered Marina but transit yachts are alongside the wharf not in the marina itself this is where the services are located

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Hi Sheila you asked where to on facebook so thought I would say a little more here

The Options are Richards Bay, Durban or Port Elizabeth

Richards bay furthest north, the currents which cause the wind against tide waves in S'westerlies are at their narrowest so the safest although still dangerous arrival port

Durban Further south again narrower area of the currents but more affected by the Dreaded S'westerlies

Port Elizabeth the widest area of the Dreaded Currents and more affected by S'westerlies and definitely the worst option for the direct run

BUT!!!
the area is only dangerous during S'westerlies which are always preceded by N'easterlies and falling Barometer ' Characteristics of Low pressure Southern Hemisphere' so some warning there, the danger area is around 40 miles wide so will be able to Pick a weather window and motor in If we have to but the bigger the danger the more help we'll get from nature to sail in on the N'easterlies..... even if We have to wait out a S'easterly gale in deep water (away from the Currents) we've done this a few times.....
Then of course If I arrive Richards bay or Durban (the safest areas) then It's several hundreds of miles along the Dangerous currents area, this is said to be the safer option because you can Chose your weather between the ports great if you have a motor boat but we would need the N'easterlies (the ones preceding the S'westerlies)to sail between ports

In short 40 or 400 miles of danger area SO

Port Elisabeth South Africa I think but there is alot of scare stories around here about the waters between here and Africa no reassurance whatsoever but I amongst at least 7 boats all heading the same way 5 have left already Myself still carrying out some repairs and a Canadian will be away in around a week when he hopefully will have fitted his new mast by then he has a 32 foot boat ROUGH BOUNDS


Demasted and looking sad

which was de-masted in some foul weather before Mauritius he doesn't write a blog shame really he started as a rookie sailor in the great canadian lakes so the had 1000 miles of lakes to navigate to the Ocean and his plan is to arrive back in Canada by June 2013...

Doubtless there will be more boats arriving before I leave there is a regular turnover boats stopping here for a few days to stock up and then leaving before Marina fees become due this used to be 7 days but is now reduced to 3

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Little more Good news Backstay needs changing but two upper shrouds good.. unable to get new Backstay yet Probably Monday Gutted The defination of a race is two boats going in the same Direction so MATT will show you around Cape Town when you arrive...... we'll be locals by then

[sheila]

It is so great to be able to keep up with all that is going on with you. My mind is totally boggled by it all! Rough Bounds does look a bit sad

[brian (Blue Bear)]

READY!!!! We will arrange with customs 'Douane' and fuel up in the next 24 hours winds a little light but will give me the chance to tune my new rigging........ the plan is direct sail to Port Elizabeth South Africa around 1700 miles... I have become friendly with the local yacht club and some seasoned French Sailors who were quite happy to give me accounts of their experiences along the South African Coastline....... It's common sense really.... no real worries now about our trip... no further Cruisers have came here yet. most go to St Pierre but the Services here are the best where as the social life in St Pierre is the best.....

[ishtar]

Go, Bri. We'll see you in the Canaries!

M&L

[sheila]

Good luck on this next leg Brian & Sue. We think of you constantly.

[simpleered]

Good Luck Brian and Sue. I have been all along this coast on a bus .It is very beautifull. You will obviously have a different view to the one that I had.Stay safe both of you.We are all thinking of you. Brian King

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Arrived Port Elizebeth after a punishing journey hit by lightening 4 days out of Reunion distroyed all our Electrical and electronic systems No auto helm or GPS system computer backups not usable because it distroyed our inverter but a basic hand held gave us a simple solution but battery charger (to recharge gps batteries) also fried good old fashioned dead reconing very poor with huge variations almost 30 degrees in some places and for the first time ever I seem to have a large Deviation on the ships compass it doesn't inspire your navigation abilities when as low as 30 degrees south the sun sets WSW No Navigation No steering aaaannnndddd Two of the Four new shrouds failed and I blew a hole in my fully reefed mainsail tell Josh Severn sails his stitching is amazing no failure on the joints dead centre of the pannel gave way...

[allan]

Great to hear you have survived, sounds like Taffy Moittessier strikes again! If you take you time I will see you in the Canaries. Martin and Louise are past half way across the Atlantic.
Allan

[sheila]

Thank God you are safe. Some one mentioned to me the other day that we ought to be hearing from you soon. Congratulations to you both.

[allan]

Brian and Sue,
Mojomo left Cape town last Thursday. I sent Matt an email to say you were in Port Elizabeth.
Allan

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Bit of a Shame that Allan we may Catch the overnight bus to capetown if no luck with parts here but we have met some wonderful local Cruisers that seem to have all the contacts we may need

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Dec 8, 2012 15:27:30 GMT allan said:

Great to hear you have survived, sounds like Taffy Moittessier strikes again! If you take you time I will see you in the Canaries. Martin and Louise are past half way across the Atlantic.
Allan

Let us know the rough timescale for Canaries... Goveners cup leaving SA soon will be in Martin and Louises Area soon I Know one of the Competitors so If they come close I will forward thier info

[allan]

We hope to leave Dartmouth for the Canaries at the end of March. At that time of year I can't see us making it one. Louise and Martin were half way across a week ago and hope to arrive Thursday in the Caribbean.
Allan

[brian (Blue Bear)]

It will be a Shame to miss all the Ports from Dartmouth to Canaries there are a few very cheap marinas and some free Anchorages with good very cheap bars even if you stop overnight. but with that time frame we will meet

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Thought I'd update my circumstances, Still waiting for Parts may have to replace my Autohelm since the electronic bits inside seem to be difficult to get Shrouds with the Courier should be here tommorrow.... a few cruisers have left for Simonstown and others are becalmed between madagascar and Africa (anywhere would be fine for them) May be lucky and a few Cruisers may arrive here for Christmas spice it up a little BIG downsides of this place It is a Major Manganise Exporter so a dust as bad as the coal dust experienced in our Valleys when the wind blows and the apparently American sponsered Port Security is way over the top...Can't get Wifi Even a mobile Phone is difficult to get and Public Phones very few and far between most don't work this internet was installed a few weeks ago at the Yachut club free for People like myself to use but Has heavly restricted content Barriers seems Strange I am not used to the levels of Security experienced here Is it really such a Crime spot? Not in our Experince and we hope that is how it will remain

[brian (Blue Bear)]

We meet some interesting People on our travels Casper a spanish Sailor who we first met in Reunion Escaped Madagascar after the Two Gardians (minders) that had been "watching thier Backs" during the day were murdered in a resort Close shave for them when they retired early wishing not to return to thier boat in a tender after darK arrived here PE boxing day......Bad Stuff.... Good Stuff we've been in the company of a few Cruisers over Christmas one of which would probably be of interest to a few club members Travelling with his daughter making Documentries
www.facebook.com/pages/The-modern-aquatic-voyager-Society/167236320055463

Above below and on the water.....


More good stuff Sad looking Rough Bounds not so sad now arriving Durban after 21 days in the middle of 40 knot winds on Christmas day