Monthly Archives: November 2010

We have been blessed/cursed with light winds on this passage-until yesterday afternoon. As we approached a slow moving front, the winds gradually increased to the 14-16 knot range from the south-southwest. Just the direction we wanted to be heading. We … Continue reading →

Beautiful sailing conditions continued through yesterday afternoon and last night. Since the winds were rather light, 4-8 knots from the SSW to SW, we tight reached with main, jib and staysail just south of west so we could put a … Continue reading →

Nothing can break a spell of boredom at sea like the arrival of new breeze. After motor sailing all morning, the wind finally picked up to the 5-6 knot range-just enough for us to sail. Everyone perked up as we … Continue reading →

We gave thanks yesterday for almost an entire day of breeze, albeit rather light and shifty. The engine logged only one hour to move us out of a wind hole. In the afternoon we spent a few hours close reaching … Continue reading →

After more than 16 hours of motor sailing in ghosterlies from .5 to 3 knots, the breeze finally filled in from the west just before sunset last evening. We unfurled the jib and were sailing at about 80% of wind … Continue reading →

On our third day at sea we broke one curse and acquired another. Tuesday afternoon saw beautiful and relaxed spinnaker sailing with winds in the mid teens gradually easing into the evening. We made some good progress towards our waypoint … Continue reading →

Monday afternoon kept the crew busy trying to keep the boat moving. As the breeze went down into single digits, our first move was to change up to our #1 spinnaker, a huge 1.5 oz. MPS (multi-purpose spinnaker). The wind … Continue reading →

The farewell from Las Palmas yesterday morning was overwhelming and like nothing we’d ever experienced. Hundreds of well wishers lined the docks, quays and breakwaters of the marina and waved goodbye to the ARC fleet while a marching band circled … Continue reading →

After years of dreaming, almost a year in planning, months of organization and weeks of final preparations, Moonshadow and crew are ready for the 25th annual running of the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers). The course will take us approximately … Continue reading →

Moonshadow and Windhorse anchored off Isla Lanzarote. Photo courtesy of Steve Dashew We are presently in the Canary Islands preparing for the ARC Rally which departs Las Palmas, Grand Canary Island on November 21.  A fleet of 250 yachts will … Continue reading →