Pentanemos blog - 27, 28 & 29th Nov
 
ARC 291109 1200
positions
233 18.34N 30.41W
 
29th November
Skippers blog.
 
2-5am Sitting in moonlight, alone, hand steering doing 6-7 knots on a shimmering, glassy ocean with the moonlight on the rolling waves; the spinny up in 15 knots of wind … life is great and can’t get any better.! True sense of freedom and no worries as Thin Lizzy bashes out “Whisky in the Jar” in my ear. 7 day spinny run and still going. Overall dress is a pair of board shorts and a tee shirt at night only.
 
I definitely realise that Pops would be over himself if he was here at this moment, so I nod to the stars wish him the best as I know he would be grinning ear to ear as I am. Although the monetary cost of doing this crosses my mind. I gave up my job, my flat, my car, my skiff to do this. I could be on a round the world 7 star cruise (with regular showers) with chandlery costs alone but nothing can beat this in the world.
 
Since the 7.30am daily drop, re-pack, check chaffing and re-launch I was awoken by Will or Neil (boat’s rule is you pick the tune for wake up and play it on full blast! I have taken my morning sights with the sextant and filled the solar shower ready for our crew showers. Moral is high and the team are working the boat harder then ever. All good. The next 48 hours will be interesting as the whole fleet will fall in line and we can more clearly see where we are. We could do with 4 knots extra of wind as this would up us to an average of 7 knots speed over the ground and I am sure we would romp home with that.
 
Foot note:
Will caught a fish 2 foot long but it got away. We recon it was an Atlantic Salmon (which seems to be the generic name for any fish you don't know what it is while crossing the Atlantic)
 
 
Message to Pentanemos 29/11/09
 
New WPT3 16N 40W. I suggest that you miss WPT2 and go straight to WPT3 as the stronger winds are going to remain on that line until the 4/5th
 
Just out of interest there is a huge low that is forecast to be North West of the Canaries on 5th that would mean that had you set off this week end you would have had SW winds up to 25knots on the nose.
 
You need to get a move on as the "tiddler" (Starfire) crew are burning their way across the Atlantic. They have got fire in their belly and are after you!!!! Change gear - this is not a cruise in company as some would have it.
 
                        Sun 28/11        
                        Forecast - All Noon Times        
                                    Wind( kn)         Swell (feet)
Sun      29/11/2009        ENE18              NE7
Mon      30/11/2009        E18                  NE7
Tue      01/12/2009        ENE20              NE7
Wed     02/12/2009        ENE20              NNE9
Thu      03/12/2009        ENE20              NNE7-9
Fri        04/12/2009        NE20                NE7
Sat       05/12/2009        NE16                NE5 or less
Sun      06/12/2009        ENE13 
 There is the potential of showers from 3rd onwards ..............................................................................
 
D4E     
Racing Class 1 at sea   N 19° 12' 0"      W 32° 55' 0"      1643     168       29/11/2009 12.00
Starfire
Non ARC          at sea   19.04.586N       29.26.859W      1837     150       29/11/2009 12.00
    Marinara
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 21' 0" W 33° 40' 0" 1607 172 29/11/2009 12:01:00
    Momo
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 31' 0" W 31° 22' 0" 1728 137 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    TinaTi
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 55' 0" W 31° 34' 0" 1729 153 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Pentanemos
 Cruising Class H at sea N 18° 33' 0" W 30° 40' 0" 1762 148 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Gwendoline
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 48' 0" W 30° 39' 0" 1771 134 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Silver Bear
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 4' 0" W 29° 28' 0" 1833 127 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Jan Wellem
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 9' 0" W 29° 19' 0" 1841 132 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Giggles
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 51' 0" W 29° 19' 0" 1853 120 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Sylvia of Blakeney
 Cruising Class H at sea N 23° 33' 0" W 29° 15' 0" 1884 102 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Zahara
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 6' 0" W 28° 43' 0" 1888 111 29/11/2009 12:01:00
    Cantana
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 12' 0" W 28° 43' 0" 1889 124 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Ranja
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 48' 0" W 28° 31' 0" 1896 130 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Sephina
 Cruising Class H at sea N 22° 0' 0" W 28° 37' 0" 1901 119 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Cantare
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 27' 0" W 28° 30' 0" 1903 105 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Ocean Lady
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 15' 0" W 28° 7' 0" 1909 151 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Fair Encounter
 Cruising Class H at sea N 18° 55' 0" W 27° 46' 0" 1928 127 29/11/2009 12:00:00
    Heimkehr VII
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 3' 0" W 27° 40' 0" 1946 107 29/11/2009 12:00:00 ........................................................................
 
Pentanemos STATS
Date                                                                             29/11/2009 12:00
Avg speed since last Posn kts                                      6.17
Overall avg speed since Las Palmas kts                                   6.23
Distance since last position nm                                     148
Total distance from Las Palmas                                    1,040
avg 24 hr run since Las Palmas nm                               149
To go to St Lucia(Approx) nm                                        1,813
% Sailed                                                                       36.5%
Estimated days for total trip                                           19.1
Estimated time of arrival                                               11/12/2009 15:07
 
SRARFIRE STATS
Date                                                                             29/11/2009 12:00
Avg speed since last Posn kts                                      6.25
Overall avg speed since Las Palmas kts                                   5.83
Distance since last position nm                                     150
24hr run equiv                                                              150
Total distance from Las Palmas                                    974
avg 24 hr run since Las Palmas nm                               140
To go to St Lucia(Approx) nm                                        1,887
% Sailed                                                                       34.0%
Estimated days for total trip                                           20.4
Estimated time of arrival                                               12/12/2009 23:32
Andrew
 

 

Pentanemos Blog 28th. Novemebr 2009.

Another early start today to get the spinnaker up, after such a slow evening we all wished we had kept it flying for the night but in reflectioLeaving Las Palmasn it has not affected our targets greatly. We have made good speed through the day in glamorous sunshine.
The most exciting part of the day was washing time, the buckets were filled, the hand wash was dug out and we all got to wash a t-shirt or two. The deck now resembles a Chinese laundry. To add to the excitement, tomorrow is our first SHOWER DAY ( we figured seven days without a wash was more than enough). So first thing tomorrow we will get the solar shower on deck. I’m sure you are all waiting with baited breath to find out how that goes.
This is a picture of Pentanemos leaving Las Palmas for the ARC

 

Weather forecast

 

 

 

Skippers Blog. 27th November 2009.

 
Shattered is the only word I can use. I have been pushing the boat and all of us hard since Las Palmas with spinny drops and hoists at 2 am in the mornings and continual trimming and sail changes.
 
 I have broken quite a few things on the boat; I have already gone through two spinny guys (ropes) so I have now had to back down on my pushing to do some white sail stuff at night which I find not in my nature but some strategy of doing a 1000-1500 miles before continuing to push her seems prudent.
 
My sleep ranks the worse on the boat with only a 5 hour maximum sleep period so far. The next best is 2hr 30 mins. I am really trying to keep her going at 6.5 + kts at the moment the idea being if I can do that for the next 5-6 days I can push her home.
 
To do this trip in 18-19 days will be a massive achievement I have set the target to try and match the Contessa record of 16 days and 9 hours although that was 5 blokes and a water maker not light handed three blokes and 374 litres of water bottles but I think it is a good benchmark.
 
Wind to start with has been great however the last three days it has dropped lowering our average. On the combing in the cockpit I have written some interesting stats
ü 23 days 5 kts We would be ugly fat Barbie girls,
ü 21.5 days 5.5 kts Sporty spice,
ü 19-20 days 6 kts Legends,
ü 18 days 6kts Rocket men,
ü 16-17 days 7 kts Top gun,
ü Less than 16 days 7.5 kts you can beat Stephan Hawkins at physics.
Hopefully the wind won't drop on us too much so we can make good way. Plus I have a bet with the skipper from Girls for Sail from Cowes who owns a 37 foot Elan to beat them over the line they said no way and have bet a very large bet. Well now we are not far off fingers crossed. 
 
 
Forecast
            Fri 27/11  
            Forecast - All Noon Times    
                  Wind( kn)   Swell (feet)
Fri   27/11/2009 NE16        NNE7
Sat   28/11/2009 NE17       NNE7-9
Sun   29/11/2009 NE17       NE7
Mon   30/11/2009 ENE18       NE7
Tue   01/12/2009 E19         ENE7
Wed   02/12/2009 ENE18       NE7-9
Thu   03/12/2009 ENE18       NE7
Fri   04/12/2009 ENE17
 
............................................................................
Pentanemos Stat's
 
Date                                      27/11/2009 12:00
Avg speed since last Posn kts             6.08
Overall avg speed since Las Palmas kts    6.27
Distance since last position nm           146
Total distance from Las Palmas            746
avg 24 hr run since Las Palmas nm         150
To go to St Lucia(Approx) nm              2,109
% Sailed                                  26.1%
Estimated days for total trip             19.0
Estimated time of arrival                 11/12/2009 12:25
 
STARFIRE's Stats
 
Date                                      27/11/2009 12:00
Avg speed since last Posn kts             5.63
Overall avg speed since Las Palmas kts    5.76
Distance since last position nm           152
24hr run equiv                            135
Total distance from Las Palmas            685
avg 24 hr run since Las Palmas nm         138
To go to St Lucia(Approx) nm              2,174
% Sailed                                  24.0%
Estimated days for total trip             20.7
Estimated time of arrival                 13/12/2009 05:40
......................................................................
The figure before the date is the days run in nm
 
    Diamonds are Forever
Racing Class A at sea N 21° 15' 0" W 27° 42' 0" 1946 163 27/11/2009 
Starfire   
Non ARC     at sea      20.53.374N. 24.47.007W 2114 135   27/11/2009 12:00
    Marinara
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 54' 0" W 27° 31' 0" 1953 167 27/11/2009 12:08:00
    Momo
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 16' 0" W 26° 27' 0" 2015 145 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    TinaTi
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 39' 0" W 26° 15' 0" 2029 149 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Gwendoline
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 24' 0" W 26° 6' 0" 2035 144 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Pentanemos
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 42' 0" W 26° 1' 0" 2036 145 27/11/2009 12:00:00
   Ocean Lady
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 27' 0" W 25° 46' 0" 2047 146 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Silver Bear
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 12' 0" W 25° 10' 0" 2081 147 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Jan Wellem
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 49' 0" W 25° 3' 0" 2090 128 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Zahara
 Cruising Class H at sea N 22° 21' 0" W 24° 51' 0" 2111 130 27/11/2009 12:02:00
    Cantare
 Cruising Class H at sea N 22° 46' 0" W 24° 55' 0" 2111 131 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Sylvia of Blakeney
 Cruising Class H at sea N 24° 27' 0" W 25° 10' 0" 2114 135 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Giggles
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 30' 0" W 24° 37' 0" 2118 127 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Ranja
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 33' 0" W 24° 18' 0" 2136 130 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Sephina
 Cruising Class H at sea N 22° 40' 0" W 24° 19' 0" 2143 137 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Heimkehr VII
 Cruising Class H at sea N 22° 27' 0" W 24° 15' 0" 2145 128 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Fair Encounter
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 45' 0" W 23° 49' 0" 2154 127 27/11/2009 12:00:00
    Cantana
 Cruising Class H at sea N 24° 3' 0" W 22° 36' 0" 2248 134 26/11/2009 12:00:00
 
Hi,
 

 

 

            Sat 27/11  
            Forecast - All Noon Times    
                  Wind( kn)   Swell (feet)
Sat   28/11/2009 NW16        NNE7-9
Sun   29/11/2009 ENE16       NE7
Mon   30/11/2009 ENE18       NE7
Tue   01/12/2009 ENE20       NE7
Wed   02/12/2009 ENE18       NNE7-9
Thu   03/12/2009 ENE18       NNE7-9
Fri   04/12/2009 NE20        NE7
Sat   05/12/2009 ENE20       NE5 or less
 
WPT2 16N 34W
WPT3 15N 40W
...............................................................
PENTANEMOS STATS
Date                                      28/11/2009 12:00
Avg speed since last Posn kts             6.08
Overall avg speed since Las Palmas kts    6.24
Distance since last position nm           146
Total distance from Las Palmas            892
avg 24 hr run since Las Palmas nm         150
To go to St Lucia(Approx) nm              1,961
% Sailed                                  31.3%
Estimated days for total trip             19.1
Estimated time of arrival                 11/12/2009 14:22
 
STARFIRES STATS
Date                                      28/11/2009 12:00
Avg speed since last Posn kts             5.79
Overall avg speed since Las Palmas kts    5.76
Distance since last position nm           139
24hr run equiv                            139
Total distance from Las Palmas            824
avg 24 hr run since Las Palmas nm         138
To go to St Lucia(Approx) nm              2,035
% Sailed                                  28.8%
Estimated days for total trip             20.7
Estimated time of arrival                 13/12/2009 05:09
...............................................................
D4E  
Raciing Class 1   at sea      N 20° 1' 0" W 30° 7' 0" 1810 171      28/11/2009 18:24
Starfire   
Non ARC     at sea      20 09.9N  27 06.5W    1976 139   28/11/2009 12:00
    Marinara
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 45' 0" W 31° 16' 0" 1744 175 28/11/2009 16:47:00
    Momo
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 18' 0" W 29° 6' 0" 1861 160 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    TinaTi
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 3' 0" W 28° 49' 0" 1881 149 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Pentanemos
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 27' 0" W 28° 15' 0" 1904 147 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Gwendoline
 Cruising Class H at sea N 20° 15' 0" W 28° 19' 0" 1904 142 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Ocean Lady
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 15' 0" W 28° 7' 0" 1909 151 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Silver Bear
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 7' 0" W 27° 16' 0" 1958 133 28/11/2009 12:30:00
    Jan Wellem
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 51' 0" W 27° 7' 0" 1970 130 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Sylvia of Blakeney
 Cruising Class H at sea N 24° 22' 0" W 27° 37' 0" 1981 135 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Zahara
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 39' 0" W 26° 49' 0" 1998 117 28/11/2009 12:01:00
    Cantare
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 45' 0" W 26° 39' 0" 2008 114 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Cantana
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 55' 0" W 26° 37' 0" 2010 128 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Sephina
 Cruising Class H at sea N 22° 19' 0" W 26° 31' 0" 2020 124 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Ranja
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 0' 0" W 26° 13' 0" 2026 112 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Heimkehr VII
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 33' 0" W 25° 49' 0" 2051 103 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Fair Encounter
 Cruising Class H at sea N 19° 31' 0" W 25° 37' 0" 2052 103 28/11/2009 12:00:00
    Giggles
 Cruising Class H at sea N 21° 10' 0" W 17° 12' 0" 2530 416 28/11/2009 12:00:00